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Little  Tishes 
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er 


YE  GODS 
AND  LITTLE 
FISHES 


ye  GO9S 

eno  LIUUL€ 
Fisnes 

s£tes*ecaS33S5fi 
H  CKHVeSCHOD  URS  HR6O* 
DHOCIC  GSPGdlGIOD  ID  C^JfiSC 

OF  une  coLoen 

^ 

James  of  JJe 


s.***1 


cmcmDHtri :  M  D  c  c  c  c 


Copyright,  1900,    by 

JAMES  A.  HENSHALI,. 


PRESS  OF  THE  ROBERT  CLARKE 
COMPANY,  CINCINNATI,  U.  S.  A. 


Tf 


TO 

ADMIRAL  GEORGE  DEWEY 

in  remembrance  of  the  pleasant 

days  spent  in  his  company  on  the 

sunny  shores  of  Greece 

this  travesty  on  the  first 

Great  Naval  Expedition 

is  respectfully  inscribed 

by 
THE  AUTHOR 


PREFACE 


In  this  travesty  of  the  Quest  of  the  Golden  Fleece  I 
have  followed  the  route,  and  noted  the  incidents,  as  re- 
corded in  "The  Argonautica"  of  Apollonius  Rhodius, 
and  as  translated  into  English  prose  by  Edward  P.  Cole- 
ridge, B.A.,  Oxford,  England,  from  the  revised  text  of 
R.  Merkel,  from  the  Laurentian  MS.  (Leipzig,  1852, 
Teubner's  small  edition.) 

For  the  anachronisms,  pseudo-poetics  and  mock- 
heroics  (for  which  I  have  obtained  a  special  mechanical 
license),  and  other  absurdities,  I  must  alone  be  held  re- 
sponsible and  amenable  to  a  patient  and  long-suffering 
public* 

Bozeman,  Montana. 

(vii) 


THE  AUTHOR. 


THE  ARGUMENT  OF  THE  "ARGONAUTICA." 

Tyro,  the  daughter  of  Salmoneus,  had  two  sons  by 
Poseidon,  Neleus  and  Pelias;  she  afterwards  wedded 
Cretheus,  son  of  -^Eolus,  and  bore  to  him  JEson,  Pheres, 
and  Amythaon.  From  JEson  sprang  Jason;  from 
Pheres,  Admetus  5  from  Amythaon,  Melampus. 

Now  Jason  was  handed  over  to  the  Centaur  Chiron 
to  be  brought  up  and  to  learn  the  art  of  healing;  while 
JEson,  his  father,  left  the  kingdom  to  Pelias,  his  own 
brother,  bidding  him  rule  Thessaly  until  Jason's  return 
from  Chiron.  But  Pelias  had  received  an  oracle  from 
Apollo,  bidding  him  beware  of  a  man  who  should  come 
with  only  one  sandal ;  for  by  him  should  he  be  slain. 

So  Jason  grew  up,  and  came  to  his  uncle,  for  to 
take  his  share  in  his  father's  kingdom.  But  when  he 
came  to  the  river  Anaurus,  which  is  in  Thessaly,  wishing 
to  ford  it,  there  upon  the  bank  he  found  Hera  in  the  dis- 
guise of  an  old  dame,  and  she  would  cross,  but  was 
afraid.  Then  did  Jason  take  her  upon  his  shoulders, 
and  carry  her  safe  over,  but  one  sandal  left  he  in  the 
mud  in  the  middle  of  the  river.  Thence  he  fared  to  the 
city  with  his  one  sandal,  and  there  he  found  an  assembly 
of  the  folk,  and  Pelias  doing  sacrifice  to  the  gods.  When 
Pelias  saw  him  thus  he  minded  him  of  the  oracle,  and 
being  eager  to  be  rid  of  him  he  set  him  this  task,  that  he 
should  go  to  Scythia  in  quest  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  and 
then  receive  the  kingdom.  Now  this  he  did  from  no 

Cviii) 


wish  for  the  Fleece,  but  because  he  thought  that  Jason 
would  be  slain  by  some  man  in  that  strange  land,  or  be 
shipwrecked. 

This  is  the  story  of  the  Golden  Fleece* 

— (From  the  Greek  of  the  Scholiasts.) 


There  was  a  curse  in  the  family  of  ^Eolus  from  the 
day  that  two  members  of  it,  Athamas  and  his  wife 
Ino,  ill-treated  Phrixus  and  Helle,  two  other  Solids. 
Zeus  saved  the  two  intended  victims  and  put  a  curse 
upon  the  guilty  family,  which  could  not  be  revoked  until 
the  Golden  Fleece  was  brought  from  Colchis  to  Hellas* 

(fe) 


A  SECOND  ARGUMENT. 

Athamas,  the  son  of  -£Lolus,  and  brother  of  Cretheus, 
.  had  to  wife  Nephele  first,  and  begat  two  children,  Phrixus 
and  Helle.  When  Nephele  died,  he  married  Ino,  who 
did  plot  against  the  children  of  Nephele,  and  persuaded 
her  country-women  to  roast  the  seed  for  sowing;  but  the 
earth,  receiving  roasted  seed,  would  not  bear  her  yearly 
crops*  So  Athamas  sent  to  Delphi  to  inquire  about  the 
barrenness;  but  Ino  bribed  his  messengers,  telling  them 
to  return  and  say,  that  the  god  had  answered  that  Helle 
and  Phrixus  must  be  sacrificed  if  they  wanted  the  barren- 
ness to  cease.  Wherefore  Athamas  was  persuaded,  and 
placed  them  at  the  altar;  but  the  gods  in  pity  snatched 
them  away  through  the  air  by  means  of  the  ram  with 
the  Golden  Fleece;  now  Helle  let  go,  and  fell  into  the 
sea  that  bears  her  name,  while  Phrixus  landed  safe  in 
Colchis.  There  he  offered  up  the  ram  to  Zeus,  who 
helped  his  flight,  for  that  he  had  escaped  the  plot  of  his 
step-mother.  And  having  married  Chalciope,  daughter 
of  -ffietes,  king  of  the  Scythians,  he  begat  four  sons, 
Argus,  Cytissorus,  Melas,  and  Phrontis.  And  there  he 
died. — (Given  by  Brunch,  from  an  unknown  source.) 


THE  ROUTE  OF  THE  ARGONAUTS  TO 
AND  THEIR  RETURN  THENCE 
TO  IOLCHOS. 


There  is  no  particular  difficulty  in  following  Argo 
on  her  outward  voyage,  or  in  identifying  the  numerous 
places  mentioned  by  Apollonius  along  the  route;  indeed, 
his  knowledge  of  the  geography  up  to  J£af  the  goal  of 
the  enterprise,  is  singularly  accurate.  It  is  when  we  at- 
tempt to  follow  his  account  of  the  return  journey,  which 
was  made  by  a  different  route,  that  we  find  ourselves  ut- 
terly perplexed,  and  forced  to  the  conclusion  that  our 
author  has  been  drawing  purely  from  imagination,  with- 
out any  idea  of  the  impossibility  of  the  course  which  he 
assigns  to  the  heroes. 

Briefly,  the  voyage  amounts  to  this.  The  Argonauts 
leave  the  Pelasgicus  Sinus  (Gulf  of  Volo),  coast  along 
Thessaly  to  Thermaicus  Sinus  (Gulf  of  Salonica),  steer 
across  -#£gaeum  Mare  (Archipelago)  to  the  Hellespont 
(Dardanelles);  through  this  straight  into  the  Propontis 
(Sea  of  Mamara)  ;  through  the  Bosporus  into  the  Euxine 
(Black  Sea).  Except  when  they  cross  the  Archipelago, 
their  voyage  is  almost  a  coasting  one,  and  is  easy  to  fol- 
low on  a  map. 

The  return  voyage  teems  with  such  insurmount- 
able difficulties,  and  is  altogether  so  hopelessly  confused 
and  mythical,  that  it  would  be  a  mere  waste  of  time  and 
patience  to  attempt  to  follow  it  on  a  modern  map 

(zi) 


We  can  only  indicate  briefly  the  course  the  heroes 
are  said  to  have  taken.  After  crossing  the  Euxine 
(Black  Sea),  they  rowed  through  river-ways  right 
across  Dacia,  Moesia,  Illyria,  and  Dalmatia  (Bulgaria, 
Servia,  Bosnia,  and  Herzegovina),  into  the  Adriatic; 
sailing  to  Italy,  they  cross  the  northern  part  by  the 
Eridanus  (Po);  sail  into  the  Rhone,  thence  into  the 
Mediterranean;  right  across  to  the  west  coast  of  Italy, 
along  which  they  pass ;  through  the  Lipari  islands  and 
the  strait  of  Messina;  up  the  east  coast  of  Italy  to  the 
Adriatic  again ;  thence  driven  by  storms,  they  come  to 
the  African  coast;  being  caught  in  the  shoals  of  the 
Syrtis  they  carry  Argo  overland  to  lake  Tritonis 
(Bahr  Faraouni  in  Tunis),  and  finding  an  outlet  into  the 
Mediterranean,  sail  along  the  African  coast  to  the  coast 
of  Asia  Minor,  and  so  into  the  -#£gean  homewards* — 
(Abridged  from  Coleridge.) 


INTRODUCTION. 

With  thee,  Phoebus,  will  I  begin  and  record  the  fa- 
mous deeds  of  those  men  of  old  time,  who,  at  the  bidding 
of  king  Pelias,  rowed  the  good  ship  Argo  past  the  mouth 
of  the  Euxine  and  through  the  rocks  Cyanean  to  fetch  the 
Golden  Fleece* 

For  Pelias  had  heard  an  oracle  on  this  wise,  that  in 
the  latter  days  a  hateful  doom  awaited  him,  even  death, 
at  the  prompting  of  one  whom  he  should  see  come  forth 
from  the  people  with  but  one  sandal.  And  not  long 
after,  according  to  the  sure  report,  came  Jason  on  foot 
across  the  stream  of  a  swollen  torrent,  and  one  sandal 
did  he  save  from  'neath  the  mud,  but  the  other  left  he 
there  sticking  in  the  river-bed.  So  he  came  to  Pelias 
forthwith  to  take  a  part  in  the  solemn  feast,  which  he  was 
offering  to  his  father  Poseidon  and  the  other  gods,  but  to 
Pelasgian  Hera  he  paid  no  heed.  And  the  instant  Pelias 
saw  Jason,  he  was  ware  of  him,  and  made  ready  to  his 
hurt  a  grevious  task  of  seamanship,  that  so  he  might  lose 
his  return  in  the  deep  or  haply  among  strange  folk. 

Now  minstrels  even  before  my  day  do  tell  how 
Argus  by  the  counsels  of  Athene  built  a  ship  for  him ; 
but  mine  shall  it  be  now  to  deckre  the  lineage  and  name  of 
the  heroes,  and  their  passage  of  the  long  sea,  and  all 
that  they  did  in  their  wanderings ;  and  may  the  Muses  be 
the  heralds  of  my  song ! — (Apollonius  Rhodius.) 

(xffl) 


ARGUMENT. 

Pelias  in  alarm,  sends  Jason  to  Colchis  to  fetch  the 
Golden  Fleece*  So  Jason  gathers  the  chieftains,  and  is 
chosen  captain  himself*  After  launching  the  Argo  they 
sail  on  without  adventure  as  far  as  Lemnos,  where  they 
stay  awhile,  and  are  hospitably  received  by  Hypsipyle 
the  queen*  Thence  they  come  to  the  Doliones  and  their 
king  Cyzicus,  and  are  kindly  entertained*  Giants  with- 
stand them  at  Dindymus,  but  these  are  shot  by  Heracles* 
On  the  same  night  a  storm  drives  the  ship  back  to 
Cyzicum,  and  in  the  darkness  they  and  the  Doliones  come 
to  blows*  and  Cyzicus  is  slain.  After  mourning  for  him, 
they  sail  on  to  Mysia*  where  Hyks  is  lost*  and  Heracles, 
who  will  not  be  comforted,  is  left  behind  with  Polyphe- 
mus— {Adapted  from  the  Scholiasts.) 

(rv) 


N  Thessaly,  in  olden  time,  there 

dwelt 
A  good  king,  -^son,  whom  I '  ve 

always  felt 
Was  euchred  sore,  and  of  his 

crown  bereft, 

Though  holding  ace,  and  bow- 
ers right  and  left* 
But  Pelias  revoked,  in  other  words 
ReniggM;  took  all  the  tricks,  and  afterwards 
Took  crown  and  scepter,  also  took  the  cake; 
Threw  in  the  throne — himself  the  king  did 

make* 
Of  course,  such  things  don't  happen  in 

our  day; 

We  merely  stock  the  cards,  and  win  our  way. 
Or  form  a  trust,  or  moneyed  syndicate — 
Buy  votes  enough  to  float  the  ship  of  state. 

But  Pelias,  now  king  of  lolchos, 
Was  sore  afraid,  and  on  his  bed  did  toss. 
His  bed  of  roses,  did  this  Grecian  king, 
Find  stuffed  with  thorns,  and  all  that  kind  of 

thing — 

One  reason  that  he  felt  so  sore  afraid — 
Another  was,  an  oracle  had  said: 
A  man  with  one  sandal  would  come  some 

day — 

And  sandal  wood  was  precious — any  way, 
This  man  with  but  one  sandal — left  one, 

too; 

With  pard's  skin,  russet  hood  and  tunic  blue, 
Would  from  the  king  demand  that  was  his 
own — 


T 


ND  he  would  from  his  usurp'd 

throne  be  thrown. 
Now,  at  the  foot  of  old  Mount 

Pelion, 
There  dwelt  the  famous  Centaur, 

old  Chiron; 

Half  man,  half  horse,  a  thorough- 
bred was  he, 

rell-skilled  in  music,  woodcraft,  surgery* 
And  in  a  cave  beneath  an  old  oak  tree, 
He  kept  a  rural  University, 
Not  subsidized,  nor  yet  endowed,  as  some — 
With  a  human-equine  curriculum* 
He  taught  heroic  pupils  out-door  sports, 
The  art  of  war,  and  also  other  sorts 
Of  arts ;  and  artful  they  became,  of  course, 
From  being  coached  and  trained  by  this  "  old 

horse*" 

Of  many  famous  scholars  I  might  name, 
Who  from  this  truly  rural  college  came, 
Were  Hercules  and  -^Escukpius, 
Well-heeled  Achilles;  but  the  one  for  us 
Was  Jason,  son  of  -#Dson,  best  of  all 
The  young  cave-dwellers  in  old  Chiron's  stall* 
And  Chiron  did  his  very  level  best, 
To  fit  young  Jason  for  his  future  quest* 
And  this  old  Centaur  sent  our  hero  brave, 
O'er  many  leagues  of  stormy  ocean's  wave, 
So  well-equipped  in  all  the  arts  of  war, 
And  love,  and  seamanship,  and  sportsman's 

lore, 

That  none  could  him  withstand,  this  Minyan 
bold, 

2 


Who  sailed  the  seas  to  seize  the  Fleece  of 

Gold. 

And  now  when  <<*Eson's  son  became  of  age, 
The  time  arrived  when  he  must^soon  engage 
To  verify  the  oracle  foretold 
Long  years  before;  and  so  our  warrior  bold 
Was  dressed  by  Chiron  in  a  tunic  blue, 
Of  Magnesian  cut,  and  a  pard's  skin  too — 
Not  his  "Old  Pard's"  skin,  but  a  leopard's 

pelt— 

And  two  huge  spears,  and  a  sword  in  his  belt ; 
Then  with  russet  hood  on  his  flaxen  hair, 
He  looked  too  killing,  and  beyond  compare* 
Then  shaking  Chiron's  hoof,  he  said,  "  Fare- 
well, 

I  ARE  WELL,     'old     hoss,'    my 

tongue  can  never  tell 
How  much  I  grieve  to  part  with 

you,  this  day/' 
But  Chiron  only  hoarsely  said, 

"Neigh,  nay/' 
(Long   after  this,  upon   one 

summer  day, 
When  Hercules  and  certain  Centaurs  gay, 
About  a  jar  of  wine  kicked  up  a  spree, 
A  poisoned  arrow  pierced  old  Chiron's  knee — 
An  arrow  poisoned  with  the  Hydra's  corse, 
For  which  no  cure  was  known  for  man  or 

horse* 

A  constellation  he  was  made  by  Jove, 
And  firmly  fixed  in  firmament  above. 
On  any  starlit  night  we  yet  may  spy 
This  emeritus  professor  in  the  sky, 


LITTZE  FISHES 


With  bow  well  drawn  and  arrow  made  to 

suit, 
To  teach  our  young  ideas  how  to  shoot.) 


O  Jason  broke  away  at  break 


And 


of  day, 

\7 


thro'    the    well-known 
woods  he  took  his  way; 
Thro'  woods  where  often  he 

had  chased  the  stag, 
And  brought  the  spotted  leopard  oft  to  bag. 
Likewise,  the  boar,  who  stoutest  hearts  with- 

stood, 

He  oft  bored  thro'  with  spear  of  cornel  wood. 
Then,  thro'  the  woods,  he  came  upon  the 

plain, 

Where  plain  to  see  his  journey  would  be  vain, 
Unless  across  the  Anaurus  he  stood, 
Whose  rushing,  swollen  tide  bode  him  no 

good. 

The  river,  swollen  by  the  recent  rain, 
Had  overflowed  its  banks;  and  then,  again, 
Huge  trees,  torn  up,  mid-stream  were  whirled 

along. 
Too  deep  to  wade;   the  tide  to  stem,  too 

strong. 

Its  tide,  if  taken  at  its  flood,  would  be 
The  death  of  any  mortal  man,  you  see; 
And  Jason,  though  a  demi-god,  'tis  true, 
Afraid  to  risk  his  mortal  half,  felt  blue. 

And  time  and  tide  for  no  man  wait,  you 

know; 
But  for  a  woman,  yes,  be  she  Juno; 


And  this  fair  goddess,  of  heaven  the  queen, 
And  sweet  on  Jason,  appeared  on  the  scene* 
She  in  the  guise  of  an  old  woman  came; 
44  Oh, Jay,"  she  said  (the  first  half  of  his  name — 
The  mortal  half  it  was,  as  well  we  know) ; 
"Oh,  son!"  (the  half  divine),  "You  needs 

must  go 

Across  this  mighty,  rushing  stream,  my  boy; 
Fear  not,  and  I  will  give  you  safe  convoy*" 


nND  thereupon  she  put  her  arm  'round 
him, 
As  in  she  plunged,  and  both  were  in  the 

swim; 

The  floating  trees  she  quickly  turned  aside, 
And  landed  safely  on  the  other  side* 
"You  see,"  she  said,  "it's  not  the  first,  nor 

yet"— 

And  here  she  took  him  in  out  of  the  wet — 
"  Nor  yet  the  last  time  that  a  man,  I  'm  'f raid, 
Will  be  supported  by  a  woman's  aid*" 


HEN  Jason  shook  the  water  from  his 

eyes, 

He  gazed  in  wonder  and  in  mute  surprise ; 
For  Juno  had  assumed  her  form  divine; 
Her  bright,  resplendent   beauty  'round  did 

shine* 

He  shook  again,  with  cold  and  terror,  too, 
For  in  the  raging  stream  he'  d  lost  one  shoe* 
"Oh,  Jason!  do  not  be  afraid,"  she  said; 
"Though  you  have  lost  your  shoe,  don't  lose 

your  head; 


LITTLE  FISHES 


HIS    loss  to  you  will    be    your 

greatest  gain, 
To  Pelias  'twill  prove  to  be  his 

bane; 
Straight  to  lolchos  now  you  fain 

must  go, 
And  claim  from  him  your  rights ; 

it  must  be  so ; 
For  so  it  has  been  long  ordained,  this  thing; 
And  you  will  some  day  be  the  rightful  king. 
And  if  you're  faithful  to  your  trust,  indeed, 
You  '11  always  find  that  I  'm  your  friend,  in 

need. 

But  now  I  must  be  gone,  or  I'll  be  missed 
By  Jove.    Good-bye;   consider  that  you're 

kissed." 

When  Jason  near  to  old  lolchos  drew, 
Half-shod,  the  people  smiled  and  wondered  too ; 
And  when  the  city  gates  he  had  passed  thro', 
They  smiled  again  to  see  his  tunic  blue, 
His  yellow  hair,  a  foot  above  the  crowd, 
His  brass-bound  spears — and  then  they  smiled 

aloud. 

But  Jason,  with  his  tall,  commanding  mien, 
Passed  swiftly  on  and  noticed  not,  I  ween, 
The  mean  remarks  and  gibes  and  sneers  of 

those 
Who  still  admired    him  in  his  homespun 

clothes. 

He  came  at  last  beside  the  pakce  gate, 
Where  Pelias,  the  king,  himself,  in  state, 
Sat  on  an  ivory  throne,  c 


\\\    With  crown 


upon  his  head* 


Then  Jason,  followed  by  the  motley  crowd, 
Strode  boldly  up,  and  there  in  accents  loud, 
Said:  "Pelias,  I've  come  to  claim  my  own, 
To  claim  my  father's  scepter,  crown  and 

throne; 

By  having  lost  one  shoe  I'm  slightly  lame, 
Still,  that  does  not  invalidate  my  claim, 
But  only  serves  to  make  my  title  clear, 
For  I  am  the  one-sandaled  man  you  fear/' 
And  thereupon  he  came  down  with  both  feet 
Upon  the  step  below  the  kingly  seat* 


_    >hen  Pelias,  dissembling,  softly  said: 
I  know  you,  Jason,  well,  but  thought  you 

dead; 

Right  glad  I  am  to  see  you  here,  my  boy; 
I'll  send  for  ^Eson,  who'll  be  filled  with 

joy* 

Accept  this  scepter,  crown  and  everything 
That  goes  to  make  a  man  a  so-called  king. 
Right  gladly  I'll  step  down  and  out.    The 

throne 

Is  celluloid,  not  ivory  or  bone; 
The  crown  is  gilt ;  its  jewels  are  but  glass ; 
It 's  all  a  fake;  the  public  is  an  ass. 
The  palace  needs  repair;  it's  mortgaged,  all; 
But  we'll  repair  now  to  the  banquet  hall." 
In  princely  raiment  Jason  was  arrayed, 
A  pair  of  brand  new  sandals  for  him  made; 
His  homely,  homespun  garb  he  cast  aside, 
For  far  from  home  he  soon  was  doomed  to 

ride; 


For  Pelias  was  a  wily  man,  and  he 
Had  formed  an  artful  plan,  as  we  shall  see, 
By  subterfuge  and  wine  to  outwit  Jase, 
And  send  him,  eager,  on  a  wild-goose  chase. 

THEREUPON  a  regal  feast  was 

spread, 
A  royal  function,  which  I've  heard 

it  said 
Surpassed  all  previous  efforts,  dish 

for  dish; 
Confections  rare,  and  fruit,  flesh, 

fowl  and  fish, 
With  lavish  hand  were  spread  upon  the  board, 
While  from  tall  jars  the  choicest  wines  were 

poured; 

And  old  and  crusty,  blood-red  wine  was  then 
Transfused  from  skins  of  goats  to  skins  of 

men; 

And  full  as  goat  skins  many  were  that  night — 
(From  which,  perhaps,  arose  the  saying,  trite)* 
Enchanting  music  filled  the  spacious  room, 
And  garlands  rare  diffused  their  sweet  perfume. 
Of  brave  adventure,  minstrels  sung,  so  sweet ; 
Fair  girls  in  danse  de  venire  did  compete. 

And  now,  when  everything  was  apropos, 
And  all  were  merry,  mellow,  and  so,  so, 
'T  was  then  that  Pelias  proposed  to  tell 
A  tale  of  olden  time,  and  what  befell 
The  children  of  the  noble  Nephele, 
Phrixus,  her  son,  and  daughter  fair,  Helle; 
How  they,  unjustly,  were  condemned  to  die, 
The  ire  of  Queen  Ino  to  gratify* 


But  Nephele,  the  good,  discarded  queen. 
Trumped  Ino's  trick  and  won,  as  will  be 

seen; 
Procured  a  ram  with  wings  and  Fleece  of 

Gold, 

The  gift  of  Neptune,  although  some  do  hold 
'Twas  Mercury  who  brought  the  buck,  in 

haste — 

But  all  the  same  upon  its  back  she  placed 
Phrixus  and  Helle  both,  her  children  dear. 
The  ram  his  course  for  Colchis  straight 

did  steer; 

And  scorching  thro'  the  air,  his  golden  trail 
Seemed  like  a  bright,  effulgent  comet's  tail* 
Poor  Helle,  in  affright,  so  dazed  was  she, 
Let  go  her  hold  and  tumbled  in  the  sea; 
And  since  that  time,  forsooth,  all  men  are 

wont 

To  call  that  sea,  in  truth,  the  Hellespont. 
The  ram,  with  Phrixus,  then  to  Colcnis  came, 
Where  he  in  time  became  a  man  of  fame. 

The  ram  he  sacrificed  to  Jove.  The  fleece, 
A  sacred  thing,  he  kept  for  love  of  Greece; 
Until  the  king,*Eetes,bad  but  wise, 
Had  Phrixus  slain,  and  stole  the  golden  prize. 
In  Colchis  still,  this  wicked  king  doth  hold 
"What  should  belong  to  us,  the  Fleece  of  Gold/' 


D 


ow  this  the  tale  the  wily  king  did  tell, 
And  this  the  story  that  he  told  so  well. 
To  Jason  then  he  spoke  in  accents  low, 
And  said :  "  This  happened  forty  years  ago ; 

9 


SSL 


Methinfcs  the  time  has  come  some  Minyan 

bold 
Should  from  this  minion  take  the  Fleece  of 

Gold 

I  would  that  I  were  young  enough  to  go, 
'T  would  bring  such  credit  on  your  reign, 

you  know; 

In  such  a  quest  the  question 's  one  of  age, 
And  I'm  too  old  in  such  things  to  engage* 
This  expedition  must  be  made  by  sea, 
And  water  never  did  agree  with  me. 


OU  'RE  young  and  brave  and 
strong  and  handsome, 
too, 
And  scores  of  demigods  would 

go  with  you, 
To  share  your  glorious  deeds 

and  lasting  fame; 
The  world  would  ring  with 

praises  of  your  name. 
I'll  stay  at  home,  and  raise  the  revenue 
To  pay  off  all  the  debts  of  state,  for  you; 
And  lead  a  quiet,  humdrum,  rusty  life, 
While  you  're  abroad  engaged  in  stirring  strife." 
Now  Jason,  flushed  with  wine  and  flat- 
tery ,too, 

Was  eager  for  the  quest.    Right  well  he  knew 
The  object  of  the  story  was  to  pull 
O'er  his  own  eyes,  forsooth,  this  golden  wool ; 
In  hopes  that  going  for  wool  he  'd  come  home 
shorn, 

He  knew  to  be  the  wish,  of  Pelias,  born. 

10 


Right  well  did  Jason  know  all  this,  yet  still 
He  felt  that  he  the  mission  must  fulfill; 
Bring  back  from  foreign  shore  this  Golden 

Fleece, 
Then  reign  as  king  of  lolchos,  in  peace* 


e  said :  "  Oh,  Pelias,  build  me  a  ship, 
And  I  will  undertake  to  make  the  trip; 
Send  heralds  out  thro'  all  the  Grecian  land, 
For  volunteers  to  join  my  brave  command. 
While  I'm  away  you'll  still  be  king;  to  you 
I  leave  all  matters  and  the  revenue; 
Be  kind  and  just  and  keep  the  coffers  full, 
But  do  not  raise  the  tax  on  foreign  wool/' 

Now,  Argus,  son  of  Phrixus,  did  equip, 
And  build,  with  Juno's  aid,  a  mighty  ship; 
With  fifty  oars,  and  mast,  and  sheets  and 

sail, 

That  could  with  safety  ride  the  fiercest  gale* 
The  stem  and  figurehead,  'tis  truly  said, 
Of  speaking  oak  of  Dodona  was  made; 
The  faculty  of  speech  this  stem  possessed, 
And  oft  advised  brave  Jason  and  the  rest* 
The  great  ship's  hull  was  gaily  painted  blue, 
Ultramarine,  a  fine  cerulean  hue; 
The  mast  and  oars  and  every  single  spar 
Were  painted  fiery  red  with  cinnabar; 
The  rudder,  still  a  ruddier  tint,  I'm  told* 
The  figurehead  was  overlaid  with  gold ; 
Likewise  the  gunwales  and  the  portholes,  too, 
And  the  starboard-holes,  where  the  oars  went 

through, 


LL  these  were  rimmed  with  gold 

some  carats  fine, 
Which  brightly  in  the  morning  sun 

did  shine* 
The  good  ship  to  her  anchor 

riding  free, 
As  graceful  as  a  swan  upon  the 

sea, 

Was  finished  now,  and  fully  found,  I  ween, 
The  most  complete  equipment  ever  seen: 
Two  banks  of  oars,  a  tiller  stout  and  long, 
A  huge  square  sail  with  sheets  and  braces 

strong; 

The  spacious  hold  and  lockers  all  were  stored 
With  food  and  wine;  the  best  was  put  aboard. 
And  nothing  now  was  lacking  but  the  crew; 
And  but  one  thing  remained  for  him  to  do, 
So  Jason  named  her  Argo,  which  was  quite 
An  honor  to  Argus,  the  great  shipwright; 
A  cup  of  Thracian  wine  poured  on  her  prow, 
Her  sponsor,  Juno,  and  godmother,  now* 
Next  day  there  came  a  score  of  men  to 

town, 

Brave  heroes  they,  and  men  of  great  renown ; 
And  they  were  followed,  day  by  day,  until 
Full  sixty  god-like  warriors  did  fill 
The  shipping  list;  all  men  of  daring,  too; 
All  eager  for  the  quest — a  noble  crew. 
From  far  and  near  these  warriors  came  in 

haste; 

To  answer  Jason's  call,  no  time  did  waste. 
And  all  were  famous  demigods,  you  see, 
The  very  flower  of  Grecian  chivalry. 


12 


IRST  Orpheus,  the  great  musician, 

came, 

Who  with  his  lyre  had  made  a  last- 
ing name; 
'Tis  said  he  played  so  well  that 

rocks  and  trees 
Broke  from  their  bonds  and  followed 

him  with  ease; 
(But  we  have  seen  the  same,  where  clubs  and 

stones, 

In  our  own  day,  have  followed  dulcet  tones 
Emitted  from  some  strolling  German  band*) 
To  Hades  once  he  took  his  lyre  in  hand, 
To  fetch  his  wife,  Eurydice,  from  there 
(The  place  where  all  good  fears  do  repair) ; 
But  looking  backward,  lost  his  wife,  so  dear ; 
Brought  back  his  lyre  to  earth — it  still  is  here* 

Anon  there  came  Asterion.    Then  we 
Have  Nauplius,  whose  tears  made  salt  the 

sea; 

Erginus,  swift  of  foot,  and  gray-haired,  too, 
Though  young  in  years  as  any  in  the  crew; 
Both  sons  of  Neptune*    And  then  after  these, 
One  Polyphemus,  friend  of  Hercules; 
Not  one-eyed  PoL,  by  Ulysses  made  blind, 
But  PoL  who  fought  the  Centaurs,  drunk, 

you  mind* 
Then  came  two  other  friends  within  the 

hour — 

Bold  Theseus,  who  slew  the  Minotaur, 
And  Pirithous,  gallant  forest  king;  — 
Some  doubt  they  went,  but  some  doubt  every- 
thing* 

13 


LITTL'E  FISHES 


HEN  came  the  prophet  Idmon, 

though  he  knew 
He'd  lose  his  life,  as  well  as  Ti- 

phys,  too. 

Diana  sent  her  best  loved,  chosen  friend; 
In  answer  to  the  summons,  did  commend 
Fair  Atalanta,  swiftest  runner,  too, 
And  only  woman  in  the  Argo's  crew; 
But  she  could  hold  her  own  in  fight  or  chase, 
With  any  man;  she  was  not  commonplace; 
Perhaps  new  woman  you  would  call  her  now, 
If  you  knew  woman,  that  I  might  allow; 
But  in  our  day,  I  think  you  will  admit 
Miss  Atalanta  would  be  called  misfit* 

Oileus,  the  red-haired  Locrian  king, 
Next  came  to  town,  well  armed  with  every- 
thing* 

Then  Iphiclus,  the  cow-boy,  who,  we'll  own, 
Drank  iron  rust  to  give  him  nerve  and  tone* 
Admetus,  king  of  Pherse,  got  the  word; 
Whose  herd  Apollo  tended  once,  we've  heard. 
Two  sons  of  Mercury,  who'd  left  their  farms, 
In  Jason's  cause  resolved  to  take  up  arms — 
Echion  and  his  brother,  Eurytus* 

Then  came  the  unsexed  woman,  Caeneus, 
Whom    Neptune   changed,  we  read,  from 

woman,  fair, 
To  man,  with  all  her  rights  and  some  to 

spare* 

Then  came  another  prophet,  Mopsus;  he 
Was  also  skilled  in  ornithology* 

-^Ethalides  was  herald  of  the  crew 
(Echion  was  another  herald,  too) ; 

14 


Eurydamus,  an  oarsman  known  to  fame; 
Menoetius,  son  of  Actor,  also  came. 

Eurytion,  and  then  Eribotes, 
Were  seen  approaching  thro*  the  forest  trees* 
Then  next  came  Clytius  and  Iphitus, 
Both  gallant  sons  of  old  man  Eurytus, 
And  both  were  mighty  bowmen,  for  you 

know 
They  claimed  to  be  inventors  of  the  bow. 

And  then  a  gilded  chariot  to  the  town 
Bore  two  brave  men  of  wisdom  and  renown, 
The  brothers  Peleus  and  Telamon ; 
And  bold  Phalerus  followed  closely  on. 
Then  Butes,  who  for  beauties  had  an  eye, 
And  weakness  for  the  weaker  sex,  came  nigh. 

The  helmsman,  Tiphys,  pilot  of  the  ship, 
By  Juno  was  induced  to  make  the  trip; 
No  man  more  skillful  in  his  way  than  he, 
Well  versed  in  signs,  of  air  and  sky  and  sea. 
Next,  Phlias,  son  of  Bacchus,  joined  the  crew; 
His  vineyards  left  to  sail  the  ocean  blue* 

Then  came  the  King  of    Clubs,  great 

Hercules, 

To  brave  the  terrors  of  the  unknown  seas ; 
As  he  approached  with  club  and  lion's  skin, 
Great  was  the  shout,  vociferous  the  din 
That  rent  the  air;  and  Jason  paid  the  rent, 
And  Hercules  invited  to  his  tent. 
Of  his  twelve  labors  great  we  all  have  heard, 
And  when  and  where  and  how  they  all  oc- 
curred; 

Labors  most  capital;  the  greatest  known; 
But  Capital  such  Labor  could  not  own. 


15 


1JTTZEFISHES 


ITH  Hercules  there  came  his  trusty 

squire. 
The  fair  and  faithful  Hylas,  whose 

fond  sire, 
Theodamas,  had  given  him  leave 

to  go, 
To  bear  the  giant's  arrows  and 

his  bow; 

No  braver  lad  in  Greece  than  Hylas,  Esq., 
Not  only  brave,  but  fair  and  picturesque. 
Two  heroes,  world-renowned  from  east 

to  west, 

Next  morning  early  came  to  join  the  quest, 
Both  Castor  and  his  brother,  Pollux;  they 
Were  twins,  and  sons  of  Leda,  and  they  say, 
I  swan !  that  Jove  himself  was  e'en  their  sire, 
And  on  these  cygnets  set  his  signet,  fire; 
By  Gemini,  they  still  are  known;  in  fine, 
A  constellation  bright  they  nightly  shine; 
And  Pollux  was  the  champion  pugilist, 
No  man  could  stand  before  his  awiul  fist; 
Jim  Corbett,  Sharkey  or  the  long-armed  Fitz, 
Would  be  no  more  to  him  than  three  tomtits. 
And  Castor  was  the  champion  charioteer, 
Well  known  on  Grecian  turf ;  the  chanticleer — 
Cock  of  the  walk — in  all  athletic  sports; 
Took  all  the  prizes  in  games  of  all  sorts. 
Then  Lynceus  and  Idas  I  must  name, 
Two  brothers  who  from  fair  Messene  came ; 
Lynceus  was  the  lookout  of  the  ship, 
And  nothing  his  observant  gaze  could  slip; 
In  earth,  or  waters  underneath,  could  be 
No  thing  too  small  for  Lynceus  to  see. 

16 


HEN  Periclymenes,  who  had  the 

power 
To  change  his  shape  or  form, 

from  hour  to  hour; 
No  doubt  a  Minyan  politician,  he, 
And  shaped  his  ends  to  suit  vox  populL 
Ancaeus,  lover  of  the  ocean  blue, 
A  skillful  sailor  and  good  helmsman,  too. 
Then  from   Arcadian    forests,  fair  and 

green, 

Amphidamus  and  Cepheus  are  seen. 
The  cow-boy,  Augeas,  from  his  cattle  ranch, 
A  man  of  val'rous  deeds  and  warrior  staunch. 
Asterius  and  Amphion,  both  brave, 
Came  next  to  join  the  quest  by  ocean  wave. 

Then  followed  one,  so  fleet  of  foot  was  he, 
That  dry  shod  he  could  run  upon  the  sea; 
Euphemus  was  his  name,  he  beat  the  earth, 
And  water  too,  for  all  his  feet  were  worth. 
From  Calydon  there  next  arrived  that 

day 

The  valiant  Meleager,  whom,  they  say, 
Was  second  best  to  no  man  of  the  force 
(But  Hercules^  we  must  except,  of  course). 
His  uncle,  too,  the  brave  Laocoon, 
Was  eager  for  the  laurels  to  be  won; 
Another  uncle,  also,  Iphiclus — 
The  second  of  that  name  it  seems  to  us. 
Just  here  I'll  say  what  may  be  known  to 

you, 

A  duplicate  Ancaeus  joined  the  crew. 
Upon  investigation  it  was  found 
There  were  not  names  enough  to  go  around; 


17 


LITTL-E  FISHES 


MALL,    common    names  were 

rife,  and  did  increase, 
But  big,  hard  names  were  rather 

scarce  in  Greece ; 
A  nose  by  any  other  name  would 

smell — 
But  Jim  for  Jason  would  not  do 

so  well. 

Then    Palaemonius,    son   of 
Lernus,  came, 

And  in  good  time,  for  he  was  slightly  lame. 
The  mighty  hunter,  Areas,  then  came  in, 
His  well-filled  quiver  made  of  leopard's  skin. 
Now,  with  a  mighty,  rushing,  curious 

sound, 

Flew  through  the  air  and  lit  upon  the  ground 
Two  brothers,  sons  of  Boreas,  the  bold — 
Zeta  and  Calais,  whom,  we're  told, 
Could  fly  at  will,  or  fly  at  anything, 
For  to  each  heel  there  was  affixed  a  wing; 
Some  say  the  wings  were  on  their  heads — 

the  fools ! — 
Had  that  been  so  these  brothers  had  been 

mules ; 

In  either  case  I  think  we'll  not  deny 
What  seems  more  certain — they  were  very  fly. 

Asclepius,  a  surgeon  of  great  skill, 
Then  next  arrived,  tc  either  cure  or  kill; 
No  allopath  or  homoeopath  was  he, 
From  Chiron  he  got  his  degree,  M.D.; 
And  Chiron,  being  more  than  one-half  horse, 
Was  versed    in  spavin,  ringbone,  and,  of 
course, 


18 


He  treated  these  as  well  as  human  ills, 
And  taught  his  students  how  to  make  horse 


The  practice  in  his  hos'pital,  you  see, 
To  some  extent  was  vet-er-i-na-ry. 

The  son  of  Pelias,  the  king,  you  know, 
Acastus,  then  expressed  his  wish  to  go. 
And  Neleus,  though  growing  old  and  gray, 
Was  not  content,  alone,  at  home  to  stay; 
For  Periclymenes  and  Nestor,  too, 
And  they  were  both  his  sons,  had  joined  the 

crew* 

Almenus,  son  of  Mars,  was  next  to  come. 
Laertes,  too,  from  Ithaca,  his  home* 
Two  sons  of  Bias,  both  of  whom  were  game, 
Areius  and  Talaus,  also  came. 
Then  Canthus,  fiom  Euboea,  slim  and  tall; 
And  mighty  Leodocus  last  of  all 

Perhaps  there 's  some  whom  I've  forgot 

to  name, 
Some  village  champion,  though  unknown  to 

fame; 
And  some  I've  named,  perhaps,  it  did  not 

suit 

To  go,  and  therefore  sent  a  substitute. 
As  this  occurred  so  many  years  ago, 
Some  names  have  been  forgotten,  that  I  know ; 
And  some  there  were  who  never  learned  to 

write, 
But  signed  the  roll  with  "X,  his  mark/'  all 


And  in  this  way  these  men  of  mark  expressed 
Their  firm  and  strong  desire  to  join  the  quest. 

19 


i 


And  I  am  very  sorry — might  say  vexed — 
That  but  an  X  was  for  such  names  annexed ; 
For  doubtless  they  were  brave  and  gallant 

men, 
And  may  have  fought  and  bled  and  died;  but 

then — 
Were,  lacking  friends  with  pull  and  cinch  at 

court, 
Not  named  in  the  official  report* 


That  night,  was  spread  upon  the  board,  a 

feast; 

And  all  the  heroes  from  the  first  to  least, 
And  guests  of  honor,  men  of  high  renown, 
And  dignitaries  of  the  far-famed  town, 
Were  all  assembled  'round  the  festive  board, 
And  held  high  wassail;  all  with  one  accord, 
To  celebrate  with  joy  the  great  event, 
And  give  a  glorious  send-off — wise  intent — 
To  sixty  godlike  heroes,  who  were  bound 
To  fleece  that  Golden  Fleece  wherever  found, 
And  bring  it  back  to  Thessaly,  a  full 
Yard  wide,  and  warranted  to  be  all  wool 


20 


And  so  they  held  high  wassail,  as  Pve 

told; 
Though  some  drank  more  than  mortal  man 

could  hold; 

The  stomach  of  the  godlike  man,  you  see, 
Was  wassail-proof*  of  high  or  low  degree. 
The  great  promoter  of  the  quest  was  there, 
The  wily  king,  who  spoke  and  sawed  the  air 
With  frantic  gestures,  with  his  royal  arms, 
The  glories  to  enhance,  and  the  alarms 
Of  any  thought  of  danger  to  dispel. 
And  boodle  politicians  wished  them  well. 
And  government  contractors,  on  the  make, 
Who  furnished  commissaries,  for  the  sake 
Of  Grecian  glory  and  renown,  they  said; 
But  public  honor  then,  as  now,  was  dead; 
In  olden  time,  the  same  as  in  our  day, 
Contract    supplies — enlarge    the   bills — their 

way. 

So  these  contractors,  with  their  pockets  filled, 
Cried  "Bon  voyage;"  cared  not  if  all  were 

killed. 

T^HE  banquet,  though,  was  voted  a  suc- 
^"/        cess, 

And  all  enjoyed  the  function,  more  or  less; 
With  mirth  and  music,  song  and  speech  and 

wine, 

They  filled  the  long,  dark  watches,  I  opine; 
So,  all  night  long  they  quaffed  the  wassail 

cup, 

And  at  the  break  of  day  were  all  broke  up — 
The  banquet,  not  the  wassail  cup,  I  mean — 
As  soon  as  Sol  appeared  upon  the  scene; 


As  he  emerged  and  mounted  in  the  sky, 
It  seemed  as  though  he  winked  his  other  eye; 
The  reason,  though,  is  very  plain  to  me, 
'T  was  water  in  his  eye  from  out  the  sea; 
At  boozy  men  he'd  scarcely  deign  to  wink, 
When  he  himself  had  just  come  out  the  drink. 
XT  morning,  on  the  sun- 
lit, curving  strand 
Of   Pagasae,  the   harbor 

bay,  did  stand 
The  populace  of  lolchos, 

to  view 

The  proud  ship  Argo  and  her  famous  crew* 
Right  bravely  rode  the  gay  and  gallant  ship, 
And  tugged  the  twisted  cable  she  would  slip, 
And  spread  her  wings  to  catch  the  western 

breeze, 
And  sail  away  to  lands  beyond  the  seas. 

An  altar  then  was  built  upon  the  shore, 
Of  stones  and  shingle  from  the  beach;  and 

o'er 

It  all  were  placed  the  olive  logs,  well  dried ; 
A  blazing  brand  of  fir  was  then  applied. 
Two  steers  were  slaughtered  for  the  sacrifice 
To  Neptune  or  Apollo;  Pm  not  wise 
Enough  to  say  to  which  of  these  two  gods 
The  offering  was  made,  but  by  all  odds 
It  was  the  greatest  barbecue,  I've  heard, 
That  ever  in  Thessalian  land  occurred. 

The  king  was  there  and  cast  the  barley 

meal, 

And  Jason  poured  libations,  pure,  to  seal 
The  compact  he  and  all  the  others  made, 


22 


To  leave  the  Grecian  border  on  this  raid, 
And  not  return  until  their  hands  did  hold 
That  sacred  thing  to  Greece,  the  Fleece  of 
Gold. 

The  fkmes  leaped  high;   and  upward, 

wreaths  of  smoke 
Ascended,  happy  omen,  to  invoke 
The  aid  of  Neptune  or  Apollo;  and 
The  roast  beef  gravy  mingled  with  the  sand* 

And  sand  and  grit  these  warriors  possessed 
To  sail  their  galley  east,  or  galley  west; 
But  toward  the  east  to  sail  to  Colchis  land, 
It  was  their  fixed  intent,  you  understand; 
No  altar  now  could  alter  this  decree, 
To  steer  due  east  across  the  Euxine  sea; 
No  sacrificial  ox  could  circumvent, 
Or  change  their  course  from  east  to  Occident* 
But  hap'ly  all  the  signs  and  omens  too, 
Implied  success  and  honor  to  the  crew* 

HE  heroes  now  were  all  aboard  the 

ship, 

And  casting  lots  for  places  on  the  trip. 
The  middle  bench  of  upper  bank  of  oars 
(For  on  the  ship  there  were  two  decks  or 

floors) 

Was  then  by  common  will  of  all  assigned 
To  Hercules  and  Ancaeus;  a  kind 
Of  place  of  honor,  also  one  of  rank; 
Their  mighty  strokes  were  tellers  in  that  bank. 
And  in  the  second  bank,  the  middle  seat 
Was  giv'n  to  Atalanta,  who  was  sweet 
On  Meleager,  sitting  by  her  side; 
And  thus  for  months  contented  they  did  ride, 


23 


Or  rather,  rowed,  the  galley  toward  the  east; 
Their  bank  account  was  good,  to  say  the  least* 
|HE  helm  was  given  to  Tiphys, 

who  could  steer 
By  day  or  night,  in  weather 

foul  or  clear; 
The  tiller  ropes  were  his, 

with  one  accord, 
Until  her  ropes  and  spars 
went  by  the  board* 

And  Lynceus,  the  lookout,  then  was  named; 
For  periscopic  vision  he  was  famed; 
As  lookout  all  the  others  looked  to  him, 
To  see  that  safely  rode  their  vessel  trim* 
Then  Jason  was  elected  Captain  bold, 
And  all  the  rest  were  mates,  so  I've  been  told; 
They  could  not  go  before  the  mast,  you  '11  find, 
For  that  was  near  the  middle;  so  behind 
The  mast  one-half  the  crew  were  thus  com- 
pelled 

To  sit,  as  they  the  gallant  bark  propelled* 
With  fifty  oars  through  fifty  holes,  was  she, 
A  wholly  holy  terror  of  the  sea* 

And  now  the  cables  were  drawn  in  and 

coiled; 
The  anchor  raised  and  fished;  the  crew  all 

toiled 

In  getting  under  way;  then  to  his  oar 
Each  warrior  went,  and  looking  toward  the 

shore, 
Gave  three  loud    cheers  in  old  vociferous 

Greek, 
As  went  the  Grecian  banner  to  the  peak* 


24 


The  folk  on  shore  responded  with  a  will ; 
Responsive  echoes  came  from  every  hill; 
And  from  the  top  of  tall  Mount  Pelion 
The  good  old  Centaur  Chiron  looked  upon 
The  stirring  scene  below,  and  breathed  a 

prayer 
For  Jason's  safe  return,  his  only  care. 

And  all  the  gods  and  woodland  nymphs 

looked  down, 

To  see  these  men  of  courage  and  renown; 
The  Tritons  and  the  nymphs,  Nereides, 
Were  looking  on  in  wonder,  from  the  seas ; 
And  as  they  looked,  admired,  for  truth  to 

say, 

They'd  ne'er  before  seen  such  a  grand  array 
Of  handsome,  strong,  and  well-armed  men; 

in  fine, 

Each  man  was  one-half  human,  half  divine. 
HEN  Tiphys  grasped  the  tiller 

with  his  hand, 
And  fifty  oars  gave  way  at  his 

command ; 
With  measured  strokes  the  feathered  oars 

kept  time 

To  voice  and  lyre  of  Orpheus,  sublime, 
Who  played  and  sung  of  war  and  doughty 

deeds 
That,  doughty  then,  are  doubted  now,  for 

creeds 

Of  olden  time  are  looked  upon  to-day 
As  fairy  tales  or  fables,  sad  to  say. 


25 


ND  Jason,  standing  in  the  stern, 

a-lee, 
Then  poured  a  cup  of  mead  upon 

the  sea; 

And  fishes  followed  in  the  gal- 
ley's wake, 
Great  tunnies,  dolphins,  mullet, 

cod  and  hake, 
Enchanted  by  the  lyre  of  Or- 
pheus— 

It  might  have  been  the  mead,  it  seems  to  us — 
But  lyres  and  fishes,  ever  since  that  day, 
Are  strangely  coupled,  but  this  way — 
The  liars  follow  fishes — lie  in  wait, 
And  then,  when  caught,  again  they  lie  in 

weight* 

Thus  Argo  left  her  moorings  in  the  bay, 
And  cleft  the  sun-kissed  waves,  as  on  her  way 
She  dashed  the  spray  on  either  side  the  prow, 
And  proudly  glided  o'er  the  sea ;  and  now 
The  Argonauts,  responsive  to  the  skill 
Of  helmsman  Tiphys,  labored  with  a  will, 
And  turned  the  harbor  headland  with  a  dash, 
That  seemed  to  those  on  shore  to  be  a  flash 
Of  vivid  lightning,  as  the  morning  sun 
On  burnished  shields  and  weapons  brightly 

shone; 

The  glare  from  highly  polished  helmet  scales, 
And  gilded  figurehead  and  gilded  wales, 
Reflected  by  the  rays  of  bright  sunlight, 
Seemed  like  a  meteor  as  she  passed  from  sight* 
The  folk  on  shore  then  slowly  took  their 


way 


26 


Back  toward  the  city  gates,  a  sad  array 
Of  weeping  maidens,  who  with  every  tear 
Breathed  silent  prayers  for  those  they  held  so 

dear; 
And  sad-browed  men,  and  heart-sick  mothers 

too, 
Besought  the   gods   to  guard  the  val'rous 

crew* 

But  Pelias,  the  king,  with  joy  was  filled, 
And  hoped  and  prayed  that  Jason  would  be 

killed ; 

And  with  pretended  grief  upon  his  face, 
The  tenor  of  his  inmost  thoughts  was  base. 
Now  Neptune  showed  his  favor  for  the 

crew, 

And  raised  the  wind  in  their  behalf;  'tis  true 
A  fresh  and  merry,  wholesail,  western  breeze 
Came  piping  off  the  shore  across  the  seas; 
The  rowers,  at  command  of  Tiphys,  then 
Laid  by  their  oars,  and  like  good  sailor  men, 
Unfurled  and  hoisted  up  and  spread  the  sail, 
And  trimmed  it  flat  to  catch  the  gentle  gale. 
The  Argo  like  a  sea  bird  fairly  flew 
With  widespread  wing  across  the  waters  blue; 
And  like  a  sea  bird  dipped  her  outstretched 

wing, 
And  from  her  prow  in  showers  the  spray  did 

fling. 

Then  Orpheus  tuned  up  his  lyre  and  sung 
An  old  sea  ballad,  learned  when  he  was 

young. 

He  sung  of  Saturn,  mighty  Titan,  who 
With  murderous  intent  a  sickle  drew, 

27 


And  slashed  his  father,  Uranos,  whose  blood 
Dropped  in  the  sea,  and  from  the  salty  flood 
Arose  fair  Venus,  born  of  blood  which  fell 
Upon  the  ocean  wave;  so  blood  will  tell* 
And  Saturn  was  the  famous  sire,  'tis  said, 
Of  Centaur  Chiron,  blooded  thoroughbred. 

E  also  sang  of  Bacchus,  who, 

he  told, 
Was  captured  by  Tyrsenian 

pirates  bold; 
Was  bound  with  cords  and 

taken  on  their  ship; 
But  from  his  godlike  limbs  the  cords  did  slip; 
And  vines  of  grape  and  ivy  climbed  the  mast — 
The  captain  wild  with  rage,  the  men  aghast — 
And  grapes  and  berries  hung  in  clusters  fair 
From  shrouds  and  stays  and  spars  and  every- 
where; 

And  Bacchus,  turning  to  a  lion,  then, 
Devoured  the  captain ;  and  the  men, 
With  terror  filled,  plunged  headlong  in  the  sea, 
And  there  were  turned  to  dolphins,  all  agree. 
If  any  doubt  this  story  told  the  crew, 
The  dolphins  still  exist  to  prove  it  true. 
In  point  of  fact,  these  fish  that  very  day, 
Charmed  by  the  lyre  of  Orpheus  and  his  lay, 
Close  to  the  Argo  swam,  with  crested  jaws, 
And  flapped  their  tails  in  token  of  applause. 

Now  past  the  Pelian  cliffs  the  Argo  sped, 
The  Sepian  headland  now  in  sight,  ahead; 

where  Thetis,  by  her 


was 


w 


ish, 


pla< 


u]    Did  change  herself  into  a  cuttle-fish, 


28 


And  various  other  forms,  as  fast  she  fled 
From  Peleus,  who  wanted  her  to  wed; 
Till,  tired  of  change  of  form,  she  changed  her 

mind, 

And  married  him;  to  this  he  was  inclined 
By  Centaur  Chiron's  sage  advice,  though  she, 
A  lovely  water  nymph,  lived  in  the  sea* 
They  had  one  son,  Achilles,  who  was  now 
With  Chiron  on  the  lofty  mountain  brow ; 
And  Peleus  was  now  an  Argonaut, 
And  in  the  sea  dwells  Thetis,  as  she  ought* 
These  songs  were  much  enjoyed  by  all 

the  crew, 

Because,  you  see,  they  'd  nothing  else  to  do; 
While  Meleager,  though  a  warrior  grim, 
Held  Atalanta's  hand;  she  winked  at  him* 
And  Sepias  now  astern,  they  saw  the  isle 
Sciathus,  on  their  weather  bow ;  and  while 
They  looked  upon  the  mainland,  there  they 

saw 

The  headland  of  Magnesia;  then  a  flaw 
Of  fresher  breeze  the  Argo  caused  to  list 
To  starboard,  while  the  rising  waves  she 

kissed* 

The  cairn  of  Dolops  now  was  in  plain  view, 
Which  soon  was  reached,  and  then  the  Argo's 

crew 
The  broad  sail  lowered  and  furled  it  on  the 

yard; 
Then  took  their  oars  and  rowed  both  fast  and 

hard, 

Until  they  beached  the  Argo  on  the  sand; 
Right  gkd  were  they  again  to  tread  the  land* 

29 


ERE  Jason  camped  and  rested 

two  long  days* 
The  heroes  passed  the  time  in 

various  ways — 
In   wrestling    matches,    racing, 

feats  of  strength, 
In  quoits   and    boxing,   swim- 
ming— till  at  length 
A  fair  and  fresh  wind  blowing 
off  the  land, 
They  pushed  the  Argo  seaward  from  the 

strand, 

And  making  sail,  their  goodly  vessel  flew, 
Right  glad  again  to  breast  the  waters  blue* 
And  sailing  on  and  on,  at  length  observed 
The  city  Meliboea  as  they  swerved; 
Then  Homele  and  other  mountains  tall — 
Olympus,  Ossa;  higher  than  them  all 
The  Thracian  hill  of  Athos,  as  they  passed, 
Half  way  to  Hellespont  its  shadow  cast* 
And  strong  and  stronger  blew  the  breeze, 

and  soon 
The    sheets    and   halyards   sung   a   merry 

tune; 

The  huge  sail  filled  and  bellied  to  the  blast, 
And  strained  and  creaked  upon  the  bended 

mast; 

But  Tiphys  eased  the  Argo  o'er  the  seas, 
Till  with  the  sun  went  down  the  western 

breeze* 

The  heroes  then,  with  oars  again  in  hand, 
And  rowing  swiftly  toward  the  rock-crowned 
land, 


At  nightfall  anchored  safely  in  the  lee 
Of  Lemnos  isle,  far  out  upon  the  sea. 

Now  in  this  isle  the  women  held  full  sway, 
And  woman's  rights  the  order  of  the  day; 
The  women  held  all  offices,  from  queen 
To  supervisor  of  the  roads,  I  ween; 
And  all  the  Lemnian  soldiers,  rank  and  file, 
Wore  bifurcated  skirts;  for  on  this  isle 
No  man  had  been  allowed  to  live  for  years; 
No  man  or  boy;  for  strange  it  now  appears, 
The  females  slit  the  throat  of  every  male, 
Till  not  a  man  was  left  to  tell  the  tale. 

It  seems  that  on  this  pleasant,  sea-girt  isle, 
Where  every  prospect  pleases,  man  was  vile; 
Unfaithful  to  their  lawful  wedded  wives, 
They  led  concupiscent  and  evil  lives, 
And  frequented  theThracian  mainland,  where 
They  flirted  with  the  women  over  there. 
We  read  that  Venus,  for  some  fancied  slight, 
Caused  all  this  trouble  dire  —  it  may  be  right. 
But  every  husband  gave  this  same  excuse, 
Which  to  the  classic  reader  may  be  news: 
His  wife  was  fond  of  onions,  musk  and  myrrh, 
So  that  he  could  not  bear  the  smell  of  her, 
And  roamed  away  to  other  pastures  new, 
And  sweeter  smelling  fragance  —  so  would 
you. 

All  ready  for  an  early  start  next  day, 
The  crew  were  busy  getting  under  way, 
When  from  the  shore  they  heard  such  noise 

and  din, 
They  stopped,  and  ceased  to  haul  the  anchor 


And  looking  shoreward,  were  surprised  to  see 

A  band  of  warlike  female  soldiery, 

Well  armed,  and  with  their  fighting  harness 

ont 

Each  woman  seemed  a  mighty  Amazon; 
They  clashed  their  swords  and  shields  with 

warlike  will, 
But  woman's  usual  weapon — tongue — was 

still; 

And  at  their  head  Hypsipyle,  their  queen, 
Stood  gazing,  proud  defiance  in  her  mien* 

Then  Jason  sent  -££thalides,  for  he 
Was  herald  of  the  ship's  good  company, 
To  ask  what  meant  this  warlike,  fierce  array, 
When  he  was  just  about  to  sail  away; 
To  tell,  moreover,  Queen  Hypsipyle 
The  object  of  his  mission  o'er  the  sea* 

ER  fears  removed,  the  queen 

then  did  implore 
That  Jason  and  his  crew 

would  come  ashore 
And  be  her  guests,  with  all 

that  did  imply; 
He  guessed  they  would  be 
happy  to  comply* 
She  sent  a  formal  invitation  then 
To  Jason  and  his  crew  of  gallant  men, 
To  meet  the  ladies  of  her  court  at  tea, 
And  signed  her  maiden  name:  R.  S*  V.  P. 

^thalides  returned  and  made  report; 
The  heroes  voted  to  remain  in  port ; 
Accepted  was  the  invitation,  too, 
By  every  warrior  of  the  Argo's  crew, 


32 


Except  great  Hercules,  his  squire,  Hylas, 
And  Meleager,  and  the  warrior  lass, 
Fair  Atalanta;  they  would  not  consent 
To  meet  these  ladies  of  strong  minds  and 

scent* 

In  justice,  though,  it  seems  but  right  to  say, 
Their  ill  smell  with  their  husbands  passed 

away; 

And  then  the  simple  truth  confronts  us,  too, 
That  they  were  sweet — on  Jason  and  his  crew* 


And  now  each  sailor  overhauled  his  kit, 
Picked  out  his  gear  of  most  becoming  fit; 
His  broidered  robe  of  gorgeous  woof  and  hue, 
His  jeweled  belt,  and  burnished  it  anew; 
And  Orpheus  polished  well  his  tuneful  lyre; 
To  look  his  very  best  did  each  aspire. 
And  when  they  left  the  ship  toward  close  of 

day, 
They  looked  like  gods,  indeed,  as  on  their 

way 
They  marched  in  solid  ranks  with  martial 

tread, 

With  Jason,  noble  hero,  at  their  head; 
And  solid  they  became  with  maidens  fair 
Of  Lemnos  isle — but  that's  not  our  affair* 
At  court  the  queen  received  them,  one 

and  all; 

Assigned  to  each  a  seat  in  banquet  hall 
Beside  a  lady  of  the  court,  but  she 
Had  Jason  sit  beside  herself,  you  see 


33 


They  had  a  lovely  time,  as  each  one  said, 
For  never  in  that  isle  was  such  a  spread; 
The  choicest  viands,  wines  and  mead  were 

there; 
While  song  and  speech  and  story  filled  the 

air; 

A  feast  of  reason,  surely,  for  the  queen 
Had  reason  for  the  feast,  as  may  be  seen; 
And  then  the  flow  of  soul,  or  overflow, 
Was  most  enjoyed,  perhaps,  as  you  may  know 

HE  queen,  dissembling,  then 

with  cunning  speech, 
Said:   "You,  perhaps,  have 

wondered  at  this  breach 
Of  etiquette,  in  asking  you  to 

tea, 

With  only  wives  and  maidens,  as  you  see; 
Perhaps  you  've  wondered,  also,  at  the  dearth 
Of  men  and  boys  in  this  fair  spot  of  earth. 
Know  then  that  they,  the  lords  of  Lemnos 

isle, 

Oft  leave  their  wives  and  daughters  for  awhile, 
And  to  the  mainland  one  and  all  repair, 
Allured  by  charms  of  pretty  maidens  there; 
And  personae  non  gratae  we  are  now, 
Deserted  and  neglected,  you  'II  allow. 

But  now  for  woman's  rights  we  all  de- 
clare; 

WeVe  banished  all  the  males,  'tis  only  fair 
And  right;  in  other  words,  we've  cut  them, 

dead, 
And  we  strong-minded  women  rule  instead. 

34 


We  think  we  live  much  better,  on  the  whole, 
Since  every  woman  now  is  femme-sole; 
For  in  our  courts  the  married  ones,  of  course, 
Obtained  decrees  of  absolute  divorce. 
We  bought  a  pair  of  Justice  scales,  and  then 
We  weighed  the  thoughts  and  actions  of  our 

men; 

Weighed  in  the  balance  thus,  from  day  to  day, 
We  found  that  all  were  wanton,  in  their 

weigh* 

We  Ve  notified  our  husbands,  so  'tis  clear 
They'll  never  more  come  back  to  interfere/' 
And  thus  the  time  was  spent  from  day  to 

day, 

In  dinner  parties,  teas  and  picnics  gay; 
The  heroes  well  content  to  stay  on  land, 
Till  Hercules  felt  called  to  take  a  hand; 
With  club  and  lion's  skin  he  went  on  shore, 
And  with  his  comrades  talked  the  matter  o'er* 

"If  Jason  wishes  to  remain,"  said  he, 
"The  Jack  of  Hearts  to  Queen  Hypsipyle, 
Then  I,  the  King  of  Clubs,  will  take  the  trick, 
And  steer  our  gallant  ship  through  thin  and 

thick* 

Fafr  Atalanta,  Meleager  bold 
And  I  will  try  to  seize  the  Fleece  of  Gold; 
For  we  stand  pat;  we  know  three  of  a  kind 
Is  good  enougn  to  see  and  raise  your  blind. 
You  think  your  royal  flush  is  sure  to  win ; 
You'll  find  it  but  a  bob-tail,  sure  as  sin* 
We  're  good  enough  to  open,  and  will  take 
The  jack-pot,  with  the  Fleece  of  Gold — the 

stake*" 

35 


HE  heroes,  much  ashamed  at  this 

reproof, 
Resolved  to  leave  at  once  the 

royal  roof; 
By  Jason  led,  they  bid  a  fond 

farewell 
To  queen,  and  ladies  of  the  court, 

as  well. 


In  solid  phalanx  then  they  formed  once  more, 
And  marched  with  heavy  footsteps  to  the 

shore; 
Their  spears  and  shields  adorned  with  flowers 

rare, 

And  other  tokens  from  the  Lemnian  fair, 
Who  weeping  sadly,  said,  with  tearful  voice : 
44 Again  we're  widows  lone,  but  not  from 

choice." 

Then  all  the  heroes  went  aboard  the  ship; 
The  cable  from  the  stern  did  Argus  slip 
From  round  a  rock;  and  then  the  Argo's  crew 
Hove  up  the  anchor  stone,  and  fished  it,  too; 
Then  took  their  places  at  the  oars,  and  soon 
Were  swiftly  rowing  to  a  measured  tune : 
14  The  Girl  I  Left  Behind  Me/'  done  in  Greek, 
An  ode  they  owed  to  Lemnos,  so  to  speak. 
That  day  they  reached  the  island  Samo- 

thrace; 

There  was  a  sacred  temple  in  this  place ; 
And  secret  rites  were  practiced  by  the  crew, 
Which  right  or  wrong,  I  can't  reveal  to  you. 
They  left  next  day  and  seemed  a  trifle  tired, 
Though  what  the  reason  was,  I've  not  in- 
quired; 


But  Orpheus,  who'd  been  there  once  before, 
And  knew  the  grips  and  passwords — smiled 

the  more* 
The  south  wind  then  began  to  blow  quite 

hard; 
They  raised  the  sail  and  spread  it  on  the 

yard, 

And  sailing  thence  o'er  the  JEgean  sea, 
The  Hellespont  they  entered  with  great  glee; 
For  now  good  fishing  they  were  sure  to  find, 
And  soon  their  lines  were  trolling  out  behind* 

And  Atalanta,  to  their  great  surprise. 
The  first  fish  caught,  a  tunny  of  some  size; 
Hand  over  hand  she  hauled  it  o'er  the  stern, 
The  coarse  line  made  her  little  fingers  burn ; 
But  with  some  pride  she  brought  it  in  with 

ease* 

"He  '11  weigh  a  stone  or  more,"  said  Hercules; 
"He'll  weigh  the  anchor  stone,  you  mean," 

she  said, 
And  whirled  her  line  three  times  around  her 

head, 

Then  cast  it  far  to  leeward;  strange  to  say, 
Another  fish  she  caught;  it  was  her  day; 
Another  tunny^  flapping  fins  and  tail, 
As  Atalanta  drew  it  o'er  the  rail; 
This  one  so  big  she  had  to  use  the  gaff* 
"He'll  weigh  a  tunny  more,"  she  said,  "now 

laugh!" 

They  wondered  all  to  see  the  luck  she  had ; 
A  full  round  dozen,  dolphins  too,  egad  I 
The  others  fishing  by  her  side,  alas ! 
Got  ne'er  a  bite — and  thus  it  came  to  pass : 

37 


HILE  all  the  crew  at  Lemnos 

were  away, 
Fair  Atalanta  watched  the  fishes 

play 
About  the  ship*    One  day  a  bit 

of  brass 
Fell  overboard ;  a  great  fish  made 

a  pass 

And  seized  it  ere  it  sunk — a  happy  thought : 
Then  Ataknta  took  an  armor  scale, 
In  one  end  drilled  a  hole  with  sharpened  nail; 
With  constant  rubbing  made  it  shine  quite 

bright. 

Then  fixed  it  just  above  the  hook,  aright; 
The  line  passed  through  the  little  hole,  you  see, 
And  round  the  hook  it  whirled  quite  merrily. 
And  this  the  lure  evolved  from  woman's 

mind, 

The  first  revolving  fish-bait  of  its  kind; 
And  thus  you  see — you  '11  not  forget  it  soon — 
A  woman  did  invent  the  trolling  spoon. 
The  proof  is  this:  that  I,  myself,  one  day — 
Near  where  Leander  swam  across  the  bay — 
Picked  up  a  sea-worn,  spoon-shaped  scale  of 

brass, 

With  letter  "A"  scratched  on  one  side;  alas ! 
Poor  Atalanta  lost  it  all  too  soon; 
Her  loss,  my  gain,  for  now  this  souvenir  spoon, 
And  well  preserved,  may  still  be  gazed  upon, 
Though  one  thing  still  it  lacks — the  hole  is 

gone; 

The  letter  alpha 's  there,  graved  on  the  bowl; 
In  fact,  there's  nothing  missing  but  the  hole. 


wind  blew  fresh  and  fair ;  the  weather 
bright; 

Ancaeus  steered  the  ship  by  day;  at  night 
The  helmsman  Tiphys,  with  his  sight  so  keen, 
The  tiller  held;  and  so  they  sailed  between 
The  land  of  Ida  on  the  starboard  side, 
Rhceteum  on  the  port;  and  on  the  tide 
Passed  Abydos  and  Abarnis;  at  last 
From  Hellespont  to  the  Propontis  passed, 
And  came  to  Cyricum,  a  harbor  fair; 
And  by  advice  of  Tiphys  anchored  there* 
'T  was  here  they  got  a  heavier  anchor  stone, 
And  tautened  shrouds  and  stays,  which  all 

must  own 

Was  a  most  wise  and  thoughtful  thing  to  do, 
For  men  about  to  sail  in  waters  new* 

Beyond  the  harbor,  and  the  river,  too, 
A  lofty,  rugged  hill  stood  in  plain  view; 
And  on  this  hill  a  wild  and  lawless  race 
Of  earth-born  men  did  dwell,  both  big  and 

base; 

Each  giant  had  six  arms,  as  we  are  told, 
A  full  half  dozen  weapons  thus  could  hold; 
With  bows  of  cornel  wood  we  must  aver, 
The  first  six-shooters  in  the  world,  they  were* 

The  peaceful  people  of  the  harbor  town, 
The  Doliones,  men  of  good  renown, 
And  ruled  by  Cyzicus,  the  youthful  king, 
A  welcome  warm,  and  food  and  drink  did 

bring 

To  Jason  and  the  rest*    It  seems  the  king, 
By  Juno,  had  been  warned  to  do  this  thing; 

39 


To  give  good  cheer  and  welcome  to  the  crew ; 

And  this  the  generous  king  proposed  to  do ; 

In  fact,  he  gave  the  best,  spared  no  expense, 

To  please  his  famous  guests,  in  every  sense* 

Receptions,  dinner  parties,  breakfasts  rare, 

Were  also  given  by  the  ladies  fair 

Of  Dolionian  society, 

To  Jason  and  the  Grecian  chivalry ; 

For  at  the  banquet  in  the  royal  hall, 

The  object  of  the  quest  was  told  to  all* 


EXT  morning  Jason,Tiphys 

and  a  score 
Of  Argonauts,  went  inland 

to  explore, 

And  climb    the  mountain 
Dindymus,  to  see 
The  route  their  voyage  led  them  o'er  the  sea* 
The  earth-born  giants  then  from  Arctos  hill, 
With  rocks  the  seaward  channel  tried  to  fill, 
And  pen  the  Argo,  like  a  rat,  inside, 
The  sport  of  wind  and  wave  and  every  tide. 
Then  Hercules,  who  had  remained  behind, 
Had  sport  exactly  suited  to  his  mind; 
And  with  his  mighty  arm  and  bended  bow, 
With  every  arrow  laid  a  giant  low; 
His  arrows  gone  he  took  his  brazen  club; 
The  others  joined  him,  in  the  fierce  hubbub, 
With  sword  and  spear,  and  soon  they  won 

the  day, 

And  every  six-armed  man  had  passed  away. 
Instead  of  passing  rocks  to  impede  ships, 
It  kept  them  busy  passing  in  their  chips* 


4O 


Forehanded  men,  of  course,  we  often  see; 
To  be  forewarned  is  forearmed  said  to  be; 
But  six-armed  men  are  now  extinct,  indeed, 
The  Argonauts  wiped  out  the  useless  breed* 

Now  Jason  and  the  heroes  bade  farewell 
To  Cyzicus  the  king,  his  bride  as  well, 
The  fair-haired  Cleite,  and  her  ladies  true, 
And  all  the  gallant  Cyzicusses,  too. 

With  southwest  wind  they  crossed  the 

harbor  bar, 

Sailed  day  and  night  by  sun  and  polar  star* 
One  night  a  dreadful,  raging  storm  did  break, 
That  made  the  Argo's  well-hewn  timbers 

quake; 

The  lightnings  flashed  across  the  inky  sky, 
The  thunders  rolled  and  rattled  far  and  nigh* 

Then  Jason,  sleeping,  had  a  horrid  dream ; 
So  true  and  realistic  did  it  seem. 
That  some  old  writers  thought  it  was  a  fact ; 
Have  so  recorded  it  with  wondrous  tact* 
But  Jason  dreamed  the  Argo,  without  sail, 
Was  driven  back  before  the  furious  gale 
To  Cyzicum;  and  in  the  haven  there — 
Of  this,  however,  they  were  unaware — 
The  Argo  safe  was  anchored  by  the  glare 
Of  lightning  flashing  brightly  through  the  air* 

He  further  dreamed  the  heroes  went  ashore, 
Not  knowing  that  they'd  been  there  once 

before; 

In  truth,  they  did  not  think  then  to  inquire, 
But,  with  great  shouts  of  joy,  they  built  a  fire 
To  dry  their  dripping  garments,  and  to  make 
A  sacrifice  to  Neptune,  for  their  sake* 


41 


HE   Doliones  woke  with  dread 

and  fright, 
And  in  the  darkness  of  the  horrid 

night, 
Put  on  their  fighting  harness, 

seized  their  arms, 
Rushed  out  to  know  the  cause 

of  these  alarms; 
And  seeing  men  about  a  fire  bright, 
And  arms  and  armor  flashing  in  its  light, 
Thought  that  their  foes  had  come  with  fire  to 

burn 

And  sack  their  city.    Then  each  man  in  turn 
Let  fly  his  arrow ;  then  with  shield  and  spear, 
Rushed  all  together,  without  thought  of  fear, 
Upon  the  Argonauts,  who  much  surprised— 
Not  knowing  they  were  friends  they  highly 

prized — 
Gave  blow  for  blow;  and  fierce  the  battle 

raged, 

Until  the  Argonauts  became  enraged 
And  drove  the  Doliones  back  to  town; 
And  sad  to  say,  a  score  of  men  went  down 
Before  their  spears.    At  last,  at  break  of  day, 
It  was  discovered  then  to  their  dismay, 
That  they  had  fought  their  friends*   The  sad- 
dest thing — 

Among  the  dead  was  Cyzicus,  the  king. 
Then  Jason  woke;  his  mind  was  much 

relieved 

To  find  it  all  a  dream,  which,  he  believed, 
Had  really  happened ;  and  the  storm  now  o'er, 
The  Argo  sailed  along  the  peaceful  shore. 


42 


A  crested  bird  then  flew  above  the  mast, 
And  perched  upon  the  high-peaked  stern,  at 

last; 

A  loud  and  cheery,  joyous,  trilling  note 
Then  issued  from  its  swelling,  azure  throat ; 
It  was  a  brave  king-fisher,  halcyon  bird, 
That  came  to  bring  the  tired  sailors  word, 
That  now  from  storms  for  weeks  they  would 

be  free, 
With  summer  weather  and  a  rippling  sea. 

And  now  a  calm  succeeded  to  the  gale; 
Each  rower  took  his  oar  and  did  not  fail 
To  do  his  very  level  best ;  for  both 
The  first  and  second  banks,  of  course,  were 

loth 

To  be  outdone;  and  port  and  starboard,  too, 
Did  try  each  other's  mettle  to  outdo* 

Then    Hercules    put    forth   his    mighty 

strength, 
And  would  have  turned  the  ship  around,  at 

length, 

But  suddenly  his  great  oar  broke  in  half, 
And  back  he  tumbled  from  the  bench;   the 

laugh 

Was  then  on  him;  but  turning  to  the  rest, 
Said:  "Who  laughs  last  will  always  laugh 

the  best/' 
The  broken  oar  he  spliced  with  leather 

braid, 
And  trimming  down  the  broad  and  flattened 

blade, 

He  made  a  fishing  rod  some  ten  yards  long, 
Much  like  a  flag-staff,  trim  and  very  strong; 


43 


With  leather  loops  tied  on  the  rod  and  tip, 
Through  which,  as  guides,  the  fishing  line 
would  slip* 

ITH  two  round  shields,  and 

spindles  in  between, 
He  made  an  object  none 

had  ever  seen; 
The  central  shaft  extended 

through  a  hole 

Bored  through  the  butt  of  his  big  fishing  pole ; 
With  handle  near  the  edge  of  outer  rim, 
It  freely  turned;  he  said  it  suited  him* 

The  signal  halyards  for  a  line  he  took ; 
And  from  a  rod  of  brass  he  made  a  hook. 
Such  fishing  tackle  none  had  ever  seen ; 
The  rod  and  reel  were  something  new  I  ween ; 
The  very  first  that  ever  had  been  known, 
And  Hercules  invented  both,  we'll  own. 
And  then  he  took  a  strip  of  lion's  pelt, 
Some  silken  bits  from  Atalanta's  belt, 
A  plume  from  Jason's  helmet,  who  was  nigh ; 
With  these  he  tied  an  artificial  fly. 

Then  Hercules  addressed  the  crew  and 

said: 

"Fair  Atalanta  as  high-hook's  ahead; 
She  beat  us  all  a-fishing  with  her  spoon, 
But  I  expect  to  take  her  laurels  soon. 
I '  ve  thought  about  this  thing  from  day  to  day, 
And  when  I  broke  my  oar,  I  saw  my  way. 

One  day,  while  idly  looking  on  the  sea, 
I  saw  some  big  fish  feeding,  on  the  lee; 
A  school  of  sprats  was  floating  with  the  tide, 
On  them  the  fish  were  feeding,  side  by  side ; 


44 


And  then  a  tern,  attracted  by  the  prey, 
Swooped  down  and  mingled  in  the  fishy  fray ; 
A  fish  then  lifted  up  his  ponderous  jaw, 
Took  in  the  tern,  and  that 's  the  kst  I  saw* 
Now,  one  good  tern  deserves  another,  sure; 
So  I  have  made  this  artificial  lure, 
Well  calculated  to  deceive,  you'll  learn; 
You  call  it  what  you  will— I'll  call  the  tern/' 

Then  Hercules  began  to  cast  his  fly, 
With  all  the  others  standing  idly  by; 
His  ponderous  rod  he  waved  both  back  and 

forth, 

The  heavy  line  did  follow,  south,  then  north ; 
The  fly  in  air,  and  then  in  water,  too, 
As  first  in  front,  and  then  behind  it  flew ; 
Each  cast  he  made  was  longer  than  before, 
Until  the  fly  reached  half  way  to  the  shore. 
And  now  the  rest  began  to  smile  and 

laugh, 

The  bolder  ones,  indeed,  began  to  chaff: 
"I'd  spare  the  rod  and  use  a  trolling  line," 
Said  Atalanta,  "and  I'll  lend  you  mine." 
"Just  look,"  said  Meleager,  "  how  he  reels 
About  the  quarter-deck,with  those  big  wheels." 
"I've  noticed  that,"  said  Polyphemus,  "too; 
I  think  he's  got  wheels  in  his  head;  don't 

you?" 

"He  seems  to  have  a  cast  in  either  eye," 
Said  fleet  Euphemus,  walking  quickly  by. 
"  I  think  he  'd  better  take  a  tern  below," 
Said  Periclymenes,  and  turned  to  go. 


45 


E'  S  teaching  swallows  how  to 

use  their  wings," 
Said  Iphiclus ;  and  others  said 

these  things : 
44  One  swallow  never  made  a 

summer  yet." 
"But  this  a  cold  day  makes 

for  Here.,  you  bet  I" 
44 1  think  we  'd  better  let  him  take  the  mast, 
And  with  the  anchor  cable  make  a  cast." 
"He  could  n't  catch  the  measles  with  that 

blind." 

44  He 's  caught  a  cold  already,  in  his  mind." 
44  No  doubt  it's  lots  of  sport  for  manly  men 
To  cast  that  rope  and  wind  it  up  again;" 
From  Atalanta  came  this  parting  shot, 
Then  went  below  to  fix  her  Psyche  knot. 

But  Hercules  cast  far  upon  the  tide, 
And  gently  jerked  the  lure  from  side  to  side, 
When  suddenly  a  great  fish  passing  by, 
Turned  in   his  course  and  quickly  seized 

the  fly. 

Then  Hercules,  with  triumph  in  his  look, 
Did  yank  the  rod  and  set  the  big  brass  hook; 
This  monstrous  fish,  as  long  as  half  the  ship, 
Then  started  off  as  if  to  make  a  trip 
Around  the  world  in  half  a  dozen  days; 
But  Hercules  knew  all  his  water  ways, 
His  scaly  tricks,  and  fishy  manners,  too; 
He  knew  a  fish  from  gills  to  tail,  all  thro'. 
He  snubbed  him  short,  the  great  fish  leaped 

on  high, 
Fell  down  again,  and  made  the  water  fly ; 


And  back  and  forth  he  went,  and  to  and  fro, 
The  heavy  rod  was  bending  like  a  bow ; 
And  up  and  down  he  leaped,  this  way  and 

that, 
Sometimes  't  was  hard  to  tell  where  he  was 

"at;" 

And  like  a  buzz-saw  whirled  the  curious  reel; 
But  Hercules,  with  sinews  strong  as  steel, 
On  bended  rod  did  play  the  fish  with  skill ; 
Some  bet  he  would,  some  bet  he  would  not,  kill. 
Twice  underneath  the  ship  the  huge  fish 

went, 

But  Hercules,  this  trick  did  circumvent, 
By  passing  rod  and  line  around  the  stern; 
Then  off  upon  another  tack  did  turn 
This  monstrous  fish.     And  now  two  hours 

had  passed; 
It  seemed  as  though  the  fight  all  day  would 

last; 

Till,  by  a  lucky  chance  came  driving  by, 
Old  Neptune,  with  his  sea-horse  team  so  spry. 
Astounded  was  the  famous  old  sea-king, 
And  stopped  to  see  the  outcome  of  this  thing. 
He  much  admired  the  queer,  new-fangled 

way, 

With  rod  and  reel  a  monstrous  fish  to  play. 
He  watched  the  rushing,  leaping,  diving  fish; 
He  heard  the  rattle  of  the  reel,  and  swish 
Of  tautened  line,  that  through  the  water  cut ; 
And  saw  the  angler  give  the  fish  the  butt. 
As  underneath  his  car  the  fish  did  plunge, 
He,  with  his  trident,  gave  a  sharp,  quick 

lunge, 


And  gaffed  the  fish;  then  held  it  up  aloft; 
The  heroes  cheered,  and  all  their  helmets 

doffed ; 
And  praised  both  Hercules   and   Neptune, 

too; — 
Who  threw  the  fish   on   deck,  and   said: 

44  Adieu !" 

ND  now  a  fair  wind  spring- 
ing up,  just  then, 
They  hoisted  sail ;  got  under 

way  again. 
Toward  evening,  Tiphys, 

saw  a  land  he  knew — 
The  Mysian  land,  well-watered,  fertile,  too. 
They  beached  the  Argo  on  the  sandy  shore, 
And  near  the  river  Cios,  with  good  store 
Of  fish  and  game;  with  pleasant  groves  of 

trees; 

A  camping  spot  that  could  not  fail  to  please. 
Around  the  fire  of  olive  logs  that  night, 
They  told  of  deeds  of  prowess,  sport  and  fight. 

Next  morning,  Hercules,  set  out  to  find 
A  tree  exactly  suited  to  his  mind, 
From  which  to  make  an  oar  both  stout  and 

long; 

An  oar  expressly  made  for  one  so  strong. 
The  others  filled  afresh  the  water  jars ; 
Repaired  the  rigging,  too,  like  good  Jack-tars ; 
And  some  went  fishing,  with  the  usual  brag, 
Still  others  went  to  hunt  the  lordly  stag ; 
And  one  and  all,  each  in  his  chosen  way, 
Resolved  to  spend  a  happy,  pleasant  day. 


Toward  evening,  Hylas,  squire  of  Her- 

culest 
Went  wandering  thro'  the  grove  of  oaken 

trees. 

With  brazen  pitcher,  searching  for  a  spring 
Of  cool,  refreshing  water;  and  did  sing 
With  very  gladness ;  and  his  charming  voice 
Rang  thro'  the   woods — made   even   birds 

rejoice* 
Now  Hylas  was  a  handsome  youth,  whose 

hair, 

In  golden  ringlets  fell  about  his  fair 
And  girlish  face*    At  last  he  found  the  spring, 
And  on  the  velvet  sward  himself  did  fling, 
Beside  the  cool  and  deep  and  limpid  stream, 
To  rest  his  graceful  limbs,  and  doze  and  dream* 

The  summer  afternoon  went  on  apace ; 
The  rising  moon  shone  full  on  Hylas'  face ; 
The  night-birds  sung,  the  crickets  chirped 

with  glee; 

Still  Hylas  slept,  from  thought  of  danger  free* 
Then  from  the  deep  and  silent  pool  emerged 
A  lovely  water-nymph,  and  round  her  surged 
The  moonlit  waves;  and  from  her  dripping 

hair 

Fell  showers  of  sparkling  water  jewels,  rare* 
She  then  stepped  out  upon  the  sloping 

bank, 
And  made  her  way  thro'  reeds  and  rushes 

dank; 

The  full  moon  on  her  filmy  garments  beamed, 
Thro'  which  her  form  like  polished  ivory 

gleamed* 

49 


[HE    stood    before   the    sleeping 

youth,  entranced; 
The  moonbeams  thro'  his  golden 

ringlets  danced* 
Upon  the  mossy  bank  she  then 

reclined, 
And  gazing  on  the  sleeping  youth, 

her  mind 

Was  filled  with  love  and  admiration  true; 
A  youth  so  fair  and  comely,  godlike,  too, 
She  ne'er  had  seen  before*   She  heaved  a  sigh, 
And  crooned  a  soft  and  tuneful  lullaby : 
"O  come,  and  be  my  love  beneath  the 

waves, 

And  dwell  with  me  in  mossy,  coral  caves ; 
Come,  be  my  love,  fair  youth,  we  '11  never  part ; 
You'll  reign  forever  in  my  fond,  true  heart/' 
Then  raising  Hyks,  sleeping,  in  her  arms, 
She  paused  awhile  to  gaze  upon  his  charms; 
Then  stole  along  the  reedy,  sedgy  bank, 
And  with  her  burden  in  the  deep  pool  sank* 
Poor  Hylas  never  would  be  seen  again ; 
He  doubtless  died  with  water  on  the  brain* 
To  be  exact,  his  friend  Asclepius, 
Would  diagnose  it  hydrocephalus* 

Next  morn  they  searched  the  woods  for 

miles  around, 

But  gentle  Hyks  never  more  was  found* 
Then  Hercules,  and  Polyphemus,  too, 
Overcome  with  grief,  resolved  to  leave  the 

crew, 

And  stay  behind  to  search  both  far  and  near, 
To  find  some  trace  of  Hylas,  loved  so  dear* 


5O 


Then  with  sad  hearts  the  others  went 

aboard; 

To  lose  three  comrades  they  could  ill  afford ; 
But  Jason  said,  and  so  did  all  the  rest, 
Whatever  the  fates  decreed,  that  were  the  best. 
A  bright  effulgent  light  then  shone  around, 
And  from  the  waves  arose  a  fearful  sound ; 
Then  from  the  sea  old  Glaucus  raised  his  head, 
And  to  the  wondering  crew  the  sea-god  said : 

44  O,  Jason,  and  ye  heroes  of  his  quest, 
'T  is  true,  indeed,  that  what  *s  decreed  is  best ; 
Grieve  not  for  Hercules,  nor  Hylas,  fair, 
Nor  Polyphemus;  for  the  gods  declare 
That  Hercules  to  Argos  must  return, 
His  twelve  great  labors  to  perform,  to  earn 
A  life  among  the  deathless  gods,  ye  see; 
And  Polyphemus,  't  is  declared  that  he 
Must  found  a  city  where  you  camped  last 

night, 

And  everything  that 's  happened  is  just  right; 
For  Hylas  now's  a  very  happy  spouse, 
And  with  his  lovely  wife  is  keeping  house; 
They  keep  a  famous  ocean  swell  resort, 
And  Hylas  now;'s  a  famed  aquatic  sport* 
So  bid  farewell  to  every  vain  regret; 
You  Ve  got  enough  to  think  about,  you  bet  1 " 


ARGUMENT. 

They  reach  Bithynia*  Amycus*  king  of  the  Be- 
bryces,  having  challenged  any  of  them  to  box  with  him, 
is  slain  by  Polydeuces,  and  in  the  subsequent  fight  many 
of  the  Bebryces  fall*  At  Salmydessa  in  Thrace  they 
find  blind  Phineus.  whom  the  sons  of  Boreas  relieve  from 
the  attacks  of  the  Harpies.  In  return  he  tells  them  of 
their  voyage.  Hence  they  come  to  the  Symplegades* 
and*  after  escaping  through  them,  are  received  by 
Lycus*  king  of  the  Mariandyni*  Idmon  and  Tiphys  die 
there*  They  meet  with  .strange  adventures  among  the 
Chalybes*  Tibareni*  and  Mossynoeci*  Coming  to  an 
island  infested  by  "the  birds  of  Ares,"  they  pick  up  the 
shipwrecked  sons  of  Chalciope*  who  henceforth  serve 
them  as  guides  to-  Colchis. — (Adapted  from  the  Scho- 
liasts.) 

53 


nd  Juno  rode  upon  a 

cloud  on  high , 
walch  and.  guard  their 
from  the  &k>>. 


HEY  sailed  all  day  with  wind 

abaft  and  free; 
And  all  felt  grieved  to  lose 

their  comrades  three* 
They  sailed  all  night  till  dawn, 

the  wind  still  fair, 
Then  when  the  wind  went  down,  to  oars 

repair; 

And  just  at  sunrise  anchored  in  a  bight 
Beneath  Posideum  headland,  on  the  right* 
Here  Amycus  the  giant  king  did  dwell, 
King  of  the  Bebryces,  and  known  quite  well 
To  be  a  champion  pugilist  and  tough, 
At  least  he  held  the  belt,  and  talked  enough* 
He  made  a  law  that  none  dared  disobey: 
That  every  stranger,  chance  threw  in  his 

way, 
Should  have  a  fight  with  him,  a  boxing 

match; 

He  always  killed  his  man  —  he  got  no  scratch. 
The  ship  was  gently  rocking  on  her  keel; 
The  Argonauts  had  had  their  morning  meal, 
And  on  the  shore  were  sitting  round  the  fire, 
While  Orpheus  "sang  and  played  his  tuneful 

lyre* 

Then  Amycus  came  stalking  down  the  shore, 
And  like  a  surly  lion  loud  did  roar  : 
"What  ho!   ye  thieves,  marauders,  sailor 

men! 

You  Ve  landed  here  without  permission;  then 
Know  ye  that  I  am  Amycus,  the  king, 
And  in  your  faces  I  my  challenge  fling  : 
The  boldest  man  must  fight  me  on  the  spot, 


55 


This  is  my  law,  and  see  ye  fail  me  not ; 
Trot  out  your  man;  this  favor  I've  allowed, 
Or  single-handed  I'll  clean  out  the  crowd*" 


us  a  rest,  good  king,"  then 
Jason  said, 
44  Or  1  will  be  compelled  to 

punch  your  head*" 
44  You  're  talking  thro'  your 

helmet,  Amycus ; " 
Said  Pollux,  champion  boxer,  "one  of  us 
Could  give  you  cards  and  spades,  casino,  too, 
And  knock  you  out ;  an  easy  thing  to  do*" 
"A  bad  man  from  Bebrycia,  is  this  king," 
Said  Erginus,  "I'll  wager  anything 
That  he  does  all  his  fighting  thro'  the  press*" 
"  The  press  of  circumstances,  I  should  guess," 
Rejoined  Tiphys,  "and  the  proper  thing 
Would  be  to  grant  his  pressing  suit,  this 

king*" 
"All  right,"  said  Pollux,  "that  suits  me,  you 

Know, 
And  at  his  royal  nibs  111  have  a  go." 

And  Amycus  then  smiled  with  inward  joy, 
To  think  how  quick  he'd  pulverize  this  boy* 
Then  Jason  marked  a  ring  upon  the  sand ; 
And  at  one  side  the  Argonauts  did  stand, 
And  at  the  other  side  stood  Amycus 
And  all  his  crowd,  quite  eager  for  a  muss* 
Then  Pollux  kid  aside  his  robe  and  cloak, 
And  to  his  brother,  Castor,  then  he  spoke: 
"You'll  be  my  second,  Castor,  in  this 
fight; 


56 


Ampulla-holder,  Idas;  that's  all  right; 
And  Jason  will  be  umpire,  all  agree  ; 
And  Amycus  may  choose  the  referee." 
Then  Amycus  he  chose  Lycoreus; 
His  seconds,  Aretus  and  Oryntus. 

And  now  the  seconds  bound  the  thongs 

of  hide 
About  their  hands  —  stood  ready  by  their 

side* 
Then  Pollux  spoke  and  said  :    "  Since  you 

are  king, 
I'll  give  you  choice  of  sides  in  this  round 

ring/' 

But  Amycus,  impatient,  tossed  his  head, 
And  scorned  the  generous  offer,  as  he  said  : 
"Oh,  talk  is  cheap;  I've  had  enough  of  that; 
I'm  ready  now  to  fight  at  drop  of  hat." 
"All  right,"  said  Pollux,  "I  will  do  that 

thing," 

And  shied  his  brother  Castor  in  the  ring; 
Because  that  was  the  proper  thing  to  do; 
All  first-class  mills  start  up  that  way;  'tis 

true. 

The  combatants  were  ready  in  the  ring, 
And  Pollux  smiled;  not  so  the  surly  king; 
A  thunder  cloud  sat  on  his  regal  brow, 
His  big  and  burly  form  erect  ;  and  now 
His  ponderous  fists  he  put  before  his  face  — 
He  stood,  a  giant  bruiser,  in  his  place. 
And  Pollux,  tall  and  graceful,  full  of  zeal  ; 
His  form  well-knit  and  muscles  hard  as  steel; 
The  hero  of  a  hundred  fights  was  he, 
The  champion  of  the  caestus,  all  agree. 


57 


HEN  Jason  gave  the  word,  the 

burly  king 
Rushed  like  a  goaded  bull  around 

the  ring, 
His  long  arms  striking  out  on 

every  side, 
To  force  the  fighting  now  he 

vainly  tried; 
But  Pollux,  wary,  warded  every  blow; 
He  wished  to  learn  the  method  of  his  foe. 
The  first  round  done,  and  not  a  blow  was 

struck; 

The  king  disgusted  with  his  sorry  luck, 
And  great  beads  dripping  from  his  face,  he 

cried: 

"Is  this  a  fight  or  foot-race;  who'll  decide?" 
44 1  guess  it  is,"  said  Pollux,  laughing  hard, 
44  It  seems  you  're  good  at  neither,  old  blow- 
hard/' 
Then  Jason  gave  the  word  again  and 

smiled; 

He  said:  "  O,  kin?,  be  gentle  with  the  child/' 
Then  Pollux  quietly  with  his  left  let  fly, 
And  landed  squarely  on  the  king's  right  eye. 
"First  blow  for  Pollux!"  said  the  umpire; 

then 
The  seconds  rubbed,  and  then,  refreshed  the 

men. 
Then,  at  the  word,  both  came  up  to  the 

scratch; 

It  now  looked  like  a  genuine  slugging  match, 
As  blow  for  blow  resounded  thro'  the  air ; 
44  The  king  is  groggy ! "  Jason  did  declare. 


58 


The  king  then  launched  a  fearful  right  hand 

blow 

That  would  have  felled  an  ox — it  was  no  go, 
For  Pollux  ducked  his  head*  it  grazed  his  ear, 
And  swinging  round  his  left  he  put  it  clear 
Upon  the  kingly  nose ;  the  claret  flew; 
"First  blood  for  Pollux!"  shouted  all  the 

crew* 

Another  round;  the  king  was  rather  slow; 
One  eye  was  closed,  and  still  the  blood  did 

flow; 
His  beard  was  soaked  with  bloody  froth  and 

foam, 
'Twere  best  for  him  if  he  had  stayed  at 

home; 
But  mad  with  pain  and  rage  he  fumed  and 

roared, 
Like  some  great  beast  by  spear  of  hunter 

gored* 
On  Pollux  now  he  rushed  with  desperate 

strength; 

The  blows  fell  thick  and  fast,  until  at  length 
Brave  Pollux  dealt  a  solar  plexus  blow 
Full  on  his  chest,  and  down  the  king  did  go* 
"First  knock-down  blow  for  Pollux!"  all  did 

cry;      - 
And  cheers  and  shouts  for  Pollux  rent  the 

sky* 
The  men  were  groomed  and  rested  once 

again, 
Though  Pollux  seemed  quite  fresh  and  strong; 

and  then, 
He  had  not  lost  his  temper,  which  is  bad, 

59 


For  whom  the  gods  destroy  they  first  make 

mad. 

He  took  a  pull  at  the  ampulla,  and, 
Of  course,  he  came  up  smiling  to  his  stand. 
Poor  Amycus  was  in  a  dreadful  plight, 
Tho'  still  expecting  he  would  win  the  fight; 
He  never  had  been  vanquished,  heretofore  ; 
But  then  he'd  never  met  his  match  before. 


E  staggered  to  the  center  of  the 

ring, 
His  hide-bound  fists  before  his 

face  did  bring, 
And  worked  them  back  and 

forth  in  bruiser  style, 
and  cursed  and  fretted  all  the 


And 


roared 

while. 

He  had  a  poultice  on  his  battered  eye, 
Yet  loud  and  boastful  was  his  proud  defy; 
A  compress  on  his  broken,  bloody  nose, 
Yet  every  inch  a  king,  and  bold  his  pose. 
He  rushed  at  Pollux,  striking  fast  and 

hard; 

But  Pollux,  ever  watchful,  kept  his  guard; 
Stood  fast  and  firm  —  he  knew  his  tactics 

now  — 

A  fair  exchange  of  blows  he  did  allow  ; 
Such    fearful    blows,    as    they   each    other 

knock, 
It  made  them  quake  from  head  to  heels  —  the 

shock. 

And  Amycus  gave  Pollux  many  thwacks, 
And  Pollux  gave  the  king  as  many  whacks. 

6O 


Then  Amycus,  encouraged,  sparred  for 

breath, 

Then  made  a  rush  for  victory  or  death. 
And  Pollux  now  determined  that  the  fight 
Should  end  this  round — in  that  he  was  quite 

right. 

He  now  advanced  upon  his  kingly  foe, 
In  scientific  manner  dealt  a  blow 
That  staggered  Amycus,  and  broke  his  }aw ; 
Then  mauled  with  right  and  left  his  features 

raw; 
Knocked  out  his  teeth,  and  battered  sore  his 

head. 

Knocked  off  one  ear,  and  hanging  by  a  thread 
The  other  one;  and  then  the  scalp,  with  gore, 
From  forehead  to  the  royal  crown  he  tore ; 
And  then  with  all  his  force  he  gave  a  blow 
That  broke  his  neck,  and  down  the  king 

did  go, 

A  shapeless  mass  of  common  human  clay* 
The  king  was  dead,  and  Pollux  won  the  day ! 
The  Bebryces,  aghast,  were  stricken  dumb, 
To  see  their  king,  invincible,  succumb; 
They  seized  their  clubs  with  murderous  in- 
tent, 

ND  madly  rushed  at  Pollux ; 

then  gave  vent 
To  howls  of  rage  and  hate — 

for  vengeance  cried; 
But  Jason  and  the  rest  flew 

to  his  side; 

With  sword  and  spear  they 
soon  drove  back  the  horde, 


61 


And  cut  and  slashed,  and  thrust  and  pierced, 

and  bored ; 

Ancaeus  with  his  battle-axe  did  chop, 
And  cut  and  carve,  and  from  their  bodies  lop 
Their  heads  and  limbs ;  he  killed,  I  think,  a 

score ; 

The  rest,  they  killed  as  many,  maybe  more, 
And  would  have  killed  them  all,  perhaps,  if  they 
Had  not  concluded  then  to  run  away. 


HE  Argonauts  did  celebrate 

that  night, 
The  happy  ending  of  this 

unsought  fight; 
And  to  Apollo  offered  sac- 
rifice; 

There  all  the  honor  and  the  glory  lies. 
And  Orpheus  extemporized  and  sung 
An  ode  to  Pollux,  and  his  praises  rung ; 
And  with  an  olive  wreath  the  hero  crowned ; 
Then  all  with  wine  and  song  the  troubles 

drowned* 
Next  morn  the  quiet  day  broke  bright  and 

fair; 

The  swallows  circled  high  up  in  the  air; 
The  sea-gulls  in  their  swift  erratic  flight, 
Skimmed  o'er  the  water  blue,  on  pinions 

white ; 
The  shore-birds  piped  and  twittered  on  the 

sand; 

And  peace  and  quiet  reigned  o'er  sea  and  land. 
The  dead  men  lying  on  the  blood-stained 
shore, 


62 


Had  peace  and  quiet  found  for  evermore. 
The  smoke  from  altar  fires  still  smouldering, 

rose 

Like  holy  incense,  for  the  calm  repose 
Of  those  unhappy  souls,  that  passed  away 
From  out  those  ruined  tenements  of  clay. 
The  Argo  now  was  under  way  again, 
And  rowing  slowly  were  the  tired  men, 
When  just  in  time  a  breeze,  both  fresh  and 

fair, 
Was  sent  by  Neptune,  for  they  were  his 

care; 

And  soon  into  the  Bosporus  they  sailed, 
Whose  swirling  tide  the  Argo  stemmed,  and 

quailed 

Before  a  mighty  wave,  that  mountain  high, 
Came  rushing  down  between  the  sea  and 

sky, 

And  threatened  to  engulf  and  overwhelm 
The  gallant  ship;    but  Tiphys  turned  the 

helm 
And  climbed  and  mounted  o'er  the  mighty 

wave, 

And  by  his  skill  the  ship  and  crew  did  save. 
This  danger  passed,  they  sailed  all  day  and 

night,  * 

Till  the  Bithynian  land  was  reached  all  right. 
They  anchored  in  the  haven  of  the  town 
Called  Salmydessa,  and  of  some  renown; 
For  here  dwelt  Phineus,  the  prophet-king, 
So  wise,  in  fact,  that  he  knew  every  thing ; 
The  past  and  present,  and  the  future,  too, 
He  knew  just  like  a  book,  and  read  it  through. 

63 


1 


LITTLE  learning  is  a  dangerous 

thing, 
But  too  much  knowledge  ruined 

this  Thracian  king ; 
He  grew  so  wise  he  thought  to 

rival  Jove, 

Who  struck  him  blind ;  and  Har- 
pies with  him  strove 
At  every  meal,  and  snatched  his  food  away ; 
No  morsel  did  they  suffer  any  day 
To  pass  his  lips,  until  the  food  they  'd  spoiled 
With  putrid,  reeking  odors ;  thus  they  foiled 
The  poor  blind  king,  who  gladly  would  have 

died; 
But  he  was  doomed  to  live,  all  joy  denied* 

Now  Zetes  and  Calais  of  the  crew, 
And  sons  of  Boreas,  the  north  wind,  too, 
Were  blood  rektions  of  this  prophet  king, 
And  they,  it  was  decreed,  should  succor  bring 
To  this  poor,  feeble,  persecuted  man, 
Who  long  had  suffered  sore  from  Jove's  dread 

ban. 

Now  Phineus  a  banquet  did  prepare, 
A  costly,  sumptuous,  recherche  affair, 
To  honor  Jason  and  the  heroes  all, 
And  bade  them  welcome  to  the  royal  hall ; 
For  though  a  poor,  afflicted  monarch,  he 
Was  rich  in  worldly  goods,  as  misery* 

And  seated  round  the  festive  board,  that 

night, 

He  called  each  hero  by  his  name,  aright ; 
For,  by  his  divination,  well  he  knew 
The  object  of  the  Argo,  and  her  crew* 


He  gave  them  much  advice  as  to  their  course, 
Forewarned  them  of  the  dangers,  and  their 

source; 

And  told  them  of  the  awful  floating  rocks, 
The  Symplegades,  and  their  clashing  shocks, 
That  ground  to  pieces  everything  that  tried 
To  force  a  passage  to  the  other  side* 
But,  for  a  guide,  he  gave  to  them  a  dove, 
A  harbinger  of  peace,  good  will  and  love ; 
For  well  he  knew  that  Jason  and  the  rest 
Would  soon  deliver  him  from  his  great  pest, 
The  Harpies ;  and  quite  happy  did  he  feel, 
That  he  would  soon  enjoy  a  good  square 

meaL 


OW,  when  the  Argonauts 

were  satisfied 
With  viands  choice,  and  all 

their  wants  supplied, 
The   king   then  from  his 

royal  chair  of  state, 
Did  take  a  roasted  quail  upon  his  plate* 
He  dared  not  eat  till  all  the  rest  were  through, 
In  def f  rence  to  their  appetites ;  he  knew 
The  Harpies  would  swoop  down,  and  then 

pollute," 
All  food  that  he  dared  touch — flesh,  bread  or 

fruit, 

And  give  to  it  so  foul  a  smell  and  taste, 
That  all  would  leave  the  banquet  hall  in 
haste. 


65 


O  when  the  king  the  quail  put  on 

his  plate, 
The  Harpies  came,  afraid  they  'd 

be  too  late; 
They  came  with  shrieks,  flew 

thro'  the  open  door, 
And  snatched  his  food  away, 

and  hovered  o'er 
On  long  black  wings,  with  women's  faces 

fair, 
While  from  their  necks  streamed  manes  of 

long  black  hair  ; 

Instead  01  fingers,  long  black  talons  grew, 
And  o'er  the  king  these  grewsome  creatures 

flew; 

And  such  a  putrid  stench  filled  all  the  air, 
'Twas  more  than  human  flesh  and  blood 

could  bear. 

The  brothers,  Zetes  and  Calais,  drew 
Their  swords,  and  on  their  wing'd  heels 

swiftly  flew, 
And  chased  the  Harpies,  shrieking,  from  the 

hall; 
They  ne'er  appeared  again;  but  that's  not 

all; 
The  food  was  then  examined,  then  found 

out  — 

'Twas  all  Limburger  cheese  and  sauerkraut. 
And  now,  next  morn,  good  Phineus,  the 

king, 

Gave  presents  to  the  crew  of  everything 
To  help  them  on  their  way,  and  please  the 


Corn,  wine  and  oil,  and  cloth  of  deepest  dye, 
And  well-wrought  arms,  and  gems  and  jewels 

rare; 

And  gave  them  sage  advice  for  every  care; 
His  troubles  with  the  Harpies  being  o'er. 
They  loosed  the  double  cables  from  the 

shore; 
The  heroes  with  stout  arms  the  long  oars 

plied, 

The  Argo  left  the  harbor  on  the  tide ; 
And  Juno  rode  upon  a  cloud  on  high, 
To  watch,  and  guard  their  progress,  from  the 

sky* 
Much  need  of  help  the  heroes  soon  would 

feel, 

Though  now  they  swiftly  sailed  on  even  keel. 

Far  off  they  saw  the  narrow,  rocky  strait, 

The  tow'ring,  beetling  cliffs  that  formed  the 

gate, 
Thro'  which  they  soon  would  be  compelled 

to  pass, 

Along  the  winding  passage ;  and,  alas ! 
Right  in  this  narrow  strait,  between  two  seas, 
The  rocks  Cyanean — Symplegades — 
The  dreaded  Ckshers,  back  and  forth  did 

roll;     , 

No  living  thing  had  ever  passed  them,  whole. 
And  soon  they  met  the  rushing,  swirling 

tide, 

And  furious  eddies  whirled  on  every  side; 
High  rocky  walls  rose  straightway  from  the 

shores; 
With  scarcely  room  to  ply  their  labored  oars. 


And  through  this  dark  and  dreadful  rocky 

gorge 

The  gallant  Argo  straight  ahead  did  forge; 
O'er  whirlpools  black,  and  hissing  currents 

through, 
She  forged  ahead,  urged  by  her  willing  crew. 

HEY  heard  the  clash,  and  felt 

the  fearful  shocks, 
That  came  resounding  from 

the  floating  rocks. 
Then  soon  they  saw  those 

dreadful  shapes  arise 
From  out  the  sea,  and  tower  toward  the  skies ; 
They  floated  back  against  the  cliffs,  and  then 
Rushed  toward  the  center,  where  they  met 

again. 

(A  double-acting  trap  it  was,  in  fine, 
And  bound  to  work,  a-comin'  or  a-gwine.) 
The  heroes  were  appalled,  dismayed;  the 

sight 

Struck  terror  to  their  hearts,  and  well  it  might. 
It  seemed  a  hopeless  task  to  persevere, 
They  never  could  go  through ;  that  was  most 

clear. 

Then  Tason's  voice  was  heard  above  the  din : 
"Myneroes  brave,  this  game  we're  bound 

to  win ! 

The  dove  that  Phineus,  the  king,  gave  me, 
Will  surely  guide  us  to  the  Euxine  Sea; 
If  she  in  safety  past  the  rocks  doth  fly, 
Then  we  may  safely  pass  the  Clashers  by; 
Lynceus,  who  has  such  famous  sight, 

68 


Will  stand  upon  the  prow  and  mark  her 

flight!" 

Then  Lynceus,  the  gray  dove  in  his  hand, 
Upon  the  vessel's  prow  did  firmly  stand ; 
And  when  the  rocks  were  opening,  let  her  go; 
She  darted  like  an  arrow  from  a  bow. 
And  through  the  narrow  chasm  winged  her 

flight- 

The  Clashers  came  together  in  their  might ; 
The  dove  had  safely  passed,  except  the  tip 
Of  one  tail  feather,  that  the  rocks  did  clip* 

This,  Lynceus,  with  his  keen  eye  did  spy, 
And  saw  her  safely  mounting  toward  the 

sky; 

And  loudly  did  he  shout  to  warn  the  crew, 
When  at  the  last  she  safely  fluttered  thro'. 
Then  Tiphys  gave  the  word  to  row  with 

speed, 

And  bravely  then  the  heroes  rowed,  indeed ; 
And  Jason  urged  them  onward;   still  they 

toiled ; 
The  waves  dashed  o'er  the  deck,  the  water 

boiled; 
And  now  the  rocks  were  parting  at  their 

prow, 
And  to  their  oars  with  double  strength  they 

bow* 
The  howling,  whistling  blast,  blew  hoarse 

and  strong, 

Yet  stronger  still  the  Argo  moved  along ; 
The  rushing,  foam-capped   torrent,  swiftly 

passed, 
Yet  swifter  still  the  Argo  moved  at  last ; 


'Mid  dashing  and  the  splashing  of  the  waves, 
The  roaring  and  the  booming  of  the  caves, 
'Mid  crashing  and  the  clashing  of  the  rocks, 
The  buffetings  and  blows  and  heavy  shocks — 
Still  faster  sped  the  Argo,  like  a  flash — 
The  Clashers  now  were  closing  with  a  crash* 

MIGHTY,   arching  wave, 

the  Argo  tossed, 
And  checked  her  speed;  then 

all,  indeed,  seemed  lost! 
But  Juno,  ever  faithful,  with 

one  hand 

Held  back  the  rock;  and  Jason  gave  command 
To  row  for  life,  and  all  they  held  most  dear ! 
Then  Juno  with  her  right  hand  pushed  her 

clear! 

The  rocks  then  closed  behind  the  gallant  ship, 
And  from  her  high-peaked  stern  a  piece  did  clip* 
Behind  them  closed  the  rocks  for  evermore, 
For  so  it  was  decreed  long  time  before, 
That  should  a  ship  and  crew  pass  safely 

through, 

One  rock  they  should  become,  instead  of  two ; 
And  firmly  bound  and  rooted  to  the  shore, 
And  leave  an  open  passage  evermore* 

The  tired  crew  with  willing  hands  then 

spread 

The  lofty  sail;  the  Argo  rushed  ahead 
Before  a  timely  breeze  both  fresh  and  free, 
Along  the  border  of  the  Euxine  Sea* 
The  river  Rhebas,  rock  Colone,  and 
The  river  Phyllis,  with  its  bar  of  sand, 


70 


Were  swiftly  passed;  the  wind  still  fresh  and 

fair, 
And  day  and  night  they  sailed,  nor  thought 

of  care; 

'Till  just  at  twilight  on  the  third  day  out, 
The  nelmsman  Tiphys  put  the  ship  about, 
And  anchored  in  the  lee  of  Thynian  isle; 
Right  glad  the  crew  to  go  ashore,  awhile* 
While  seated  round  the  camp-fire,  burning 

bright, 
There  came  a  sudden    flash    and    greater 

light; 

The  god  Apollo  quickly  passed  them  by, 
As  fast  he  sped  between  the  earth  and  sky. 
The  Argonauts  were  terror-stricken,  quite, 
And  bowed  their  heads  till  he  was  out  of  sight ; 
And  then  a  sacrifice  they  did  prepare, 
And  hymns  to  Phoebus  rose  upon  the  air; 
And  Orpheus  performed  a  song  and  dance, 
In  honor  of  the  lucky  circumstance* 

With  weather  fair,  and  favoring  gales 

next  day, 

Again  they  started  on  their  watery  way; 
And  soon  they  passed  the  stream  Sangarius, 
The  Lycus,  and  the  lake  Anthemous ; 
And  all  that  night  the  wind  blew  half  a 

gale; 
They  still  pursued  their  way  with  shortened 

sail; 

And  in  the  morning  anchored  just  behind 
The  Acherusian  headland,  and  did  find 
A  harbor  safe  and  pleasant,  in  the  lee 
Of  this  bold  headland  of  the  Euxine  Sea* 


71 


ND   here    the   Mariandyni   did 

dwell, 
And  good  and  wise  king  Lycus 

ruled  them  well ; 
And  he  a  welcome  warm  to 

Jason  gave, 

And  all  the  Argonauts,  the  he- 
roes brave, 
Who  fought  and  whipt  the  cruel  Bebryces, 
Who  long  had  been  his  dreaded  enemies. 

And  Lycus  gave  to  Pollux  presents  rare, 
A  golden  badge  and  champion  belt  to  wear, 
For  knocking  out  and  killing  Amycus, 
The  double-fisted  bruiser — hateful  cuss ! 
And  Pollux  said  to  Jason:  "Don't  you  see? 
King  Lycus  seems  to  like  us — you  and  me." 
But,  Lycus  gave  to  each  and  every  one, 
Some  token  for  the  battle  they  had  won; 
And  Atalanta,  fair,  was  not  ignored, 
She  got  a  jeweled  cup,  also  a  sword; 
Her  heart  was  full,  so  full  she  could  not 

speak, 
So  Atalanta  kissed  his  royal  cheek. 

For  many  days  the  heroes  lingered  here, 
The  guests  of  Lycus,  and  his  princely  cheer. 
The  nobles  of  the  court,  a  noble  clan, 
The  Mariandyni,  and  Mary  Ann — 
Or  some  such  name — King  Lycus'  noble 

spouse, 

Did  entertain  and  keep  an  open  house, 
And  strive  to  please;  in  fact  they  did  their 

best, 
In  honor  of  the  heroes  and  their  quest. 

72 


The  Argonauts  and  Mariandyni 
In  all  athletic  games  and  sports  did  vie; 
In  games  on  land,  aquatic  sports  as  well, 
In  all  of  these  the  heroes  did  excel* 

The  tournament  for  shooting  with  the  bow 
Was  won  by  Atalanta,  for  although 
Brave  Meleager  tied  her  in  the  bout, 
She  beat  her  beau  ideal,  miss  and  out ; 
Although  a  miss,  she  never  scored  a  miss — 
(It  seems  to  me  there 's  something  queer  in 

this)— 

If  women  ever  voted  in  that  day, 
No  doubt  she  voted  as  she  shot,  alway* 

And  Castor,  Oileus  and  Idas, 
Took  all  the  prizes  in  the  throwing  class 
With  spear  and  javelin — it  went  their  way ; 
For  they  were  men  of  mark;  good  marks- 
men they* 

And  Jason  with  the  discus,  or  the  quoit, 
Of  all  the  others  proved  the  most  adroit; 
Defeated  Peleus,  with  a  wondrous  score, 
The  champion  of  the  discus,  heretofore* 
He  held  the  record  at  the  Pythian  meet, 
And  until  now  had  never  met  defeat* 

And  Telamon,  in  wrestling,  took  first 

prize; 

He  always  threw  his  man,  whatever  his  size, 
But  never  threw  the  game,  as  men  now  do — 
The  hippodrome 's  a  modern  thing,  and  new* 
In  olden  time  they  wrestled  for  the  crown 
Of  laurel  leaves,  and  threw  each  other  down ; 
The  stadium  was  crowded — it  was  free ; 
The  best  man  always  won,  as  it  should  be ; 


73 


But  now-a-days  the  thing 's  all  cut  and  dried, 

The  principals  the  principal  divide; 

They  squirm  and  double,  fall  by  turns,  and 

so — 
The  people  pay  to  see  the  sorry  show* 

INOEUS   won   at   boxing- 
Pollux  barred, 
For  when  the  least  excited  he 

hit  hard— 
Ancseus  won  the  prize,  for  he 

was  best, 
He  fought  with  fists,  and  gave  his  mouth  a 

rest* 

In  all  the  chariot  races  Castor  won; 
When  he  was  through,  some  scarcely  had 

begun* 

He  held  the  record  on  the  stadic  course, 
Knew  all  about  a  chariot  and  a  horse; 
'Twas  not  much  use  for  any  to  compete — 
When  Castor  held  the  reins,  he  won  the  heat; 
On  chariot  wheels  he  run  so  well,  they  say, 
Our  little  wheels  are  casters  still,  to-day* 

Foot  races  then  were  much  enjoyed  by  all ; 
And  many  were  the  sprinters,  short  and  talLj 
Calais  held  the  Pythian  record ;  true, 
Some  said  he  used  his  wings — both  run  and 

flew; 

But  wings  on  this  occasion  were  ruled  out, 
King  Lycus  made  the  rules  and  terms,  no 

doubt ; 

'Twas  his  opinion,  pinions  should  be  barred, 
And  legs  alone  should  get  an  entry  card* 

74 


Calais,  notwithstanding,  won  the  first, 
The  stadion,  and  like  a  meteor  burst 
Around  the  course,  and  run  with  legs  and 

feet, 
But  really  seemed  to  fly,  he  was  so  fleet* 

By  Euphemus  the  next  foot  race  was  won, 
Though  closely  pressed  by  Erginus,  who  run 
So  fast  and  well,  that  cheers  and  shouts  arose 
To  cheer  him  on ;  but  just  before  the  close 
He  tripped  and  fell — the  golden  cup  was  lost ; 
This  slip,  betwixt  the  cup  and  lip,  the  cost* 

Then  Atalanta  won  the  free  for  all, 
As  graceful  as  a  deer,  so  lithe  and  tall; 
A  spinster  sprinter  who  outstripped  the  rest — 
I  mean  outran,  I  think  that  sounds  the  best — 
Her  little  feet  seemed  scarce  to  touch  the 

ground, 

As  twice  the  stadium  she  ran  around, 
And  all  the  others,  left  she,  far  behind; 
The  queen,  herself,  the  laurel  wreath  en- 
twined 

About  her  shapely  head,  and  kissed  her  brow ; 
Such  grace  and  speed  she'd  never  seen  till 

now* 

44  You  must  be  very  tired,  dear/'  she  said, 
"You  breathe  in  such  short  pants;  you're 

nearly  dead." 

Oh,  never  mind,"  said  Atalanta,  fair, 
When  married,  longer  breeches  I  will  wear*" 

In  leaping,  Zetes  won  the  olive  crown; 
He  jumped  so  high  it  seemed  he'd  ne'er  come 

down; 
Fair  leaping,  too,  it  was ;  his  purple  wings 


75 


Were  folded  close,  and  tied  with  leathern 

strings* 

HE  great  event  oi  that  eventful 

day, 
Was  racing  on  the  water  oi 

the  bay; 

But  only  two  in  this  race  could 
compet 


Euphemus  and  At'lanta;  who  so  fleet, 
That  they  could  run  dry  shod  upon  the  sea, 
And  run  they  did  that  day,  as  all  agree. 
They  started  from  the  ship  and  ran  ashore, 
About  two  hundred  yards,  or  little  more; 
Euphemus  won  the  race,  was  first  to  land; 
The  boy  more  buoyant  was,  you  understand ; 
At'lanta  would  have  won  in  ten  yards  more, 
She  touched  his  shoulder  as  he  touched  the 

shore. 

Now  this  account  some  may  think  over- 
drawn, 

To  run  on  water  as  upon  a  lawn; 
I'll  make  it  plain  and  feasible,  I  hope: 
For  sandals  they  had  cakes  of  ivory  soap, 
Which  could  not  sink ;  and  these  their  bodies 

bore — 
So  with  the  soap  they  washed  themselves 

ashore. 
The  heralds  then  announced  that  on  next 

day 

The  Argo  and  her  crew  would  sail  away ; 
That  on  the  following  morn  there  would  take 

place 
A  novel  and  peculiar  chariot  race; 


76 


A  chariot  race,  they  said,  without  a  horse, 
One  never  seen  before  on  any  course ; 
Not  at  the  game  Olympian,  nor  at 
The  Pythian  or  Nemean ;  and  that 
The  sons  of  Boreas  would  run  the  race, 
Both  Zetes  and  Calais  strive  for  place. 

Now  Zetes,  with  some  rods  of  brass,  and 

reeds, 

And  chariot  wheels,  made  two  velocipedes, 
With  pedals  on  the  front  wheel,  handle  bar, 
And  saddles  made  of  shields ;  they  were  by  far, 
The  most  astounding  chariots  ever  seen — 
Bicycles  we  would  call  them  now,  I  ween. 
Thus,  Zetes  was  the  father  of  the  bike; 
His  progeny  to-day  are  not  much  like 
Their  rude  progenitors;  but  as  to  speed — 
Well,  that's  another  story,  as  you'll  read* 
At   all  events,   the   bikes  were  stout   and 

strong. 
And  on  their  broad  wheels  smoothly  rolled 

along. 
The  hubs  and  spokes  and  felloes  made  of 

wood; 
With  thick  broad  tires  of  brass,  and  welded 

good; 

But  no  pneumatic  tubes,  so  much  admired — 
'Tis  punctured  tires  that  make  the  fellows 

tired 

Now  Zetes  and  Calais  both  had  wings, 
On  heels,  like  Mercury ;  and  with  these  things 
They  chased  the  Harpies,  screaming,  through 

the  air, 
From  the  Bithynian  land  to  Crete — their  lair. 

77 


EXT  morning  Lycus  and  the 

queen  and  court 
Assembled  early,  eager  for  the 

sport; 
The  stadium  was  crowded; 

all  were  there; 
The  Argonauts  the  guests  of 

ladies,  fair; 
And  Atalanta  at  the  king's  right  hand, 
The  place  of  honor  held  in  the  grand  stand; 
And  Jason  sat  beside  the  lovely  queen; 
Such  grace  and  beauty  ne'er  before  was  seen* 
And  now  when  everything  was  all  pre- 
pared, 

The  heralds  blew  their  trumpets,  and   de- 
clared : 

The  sons  of  Boreas  would  now  compete, 
And  race  in  horseless  chariots;  a  feat, 
The  heralds  added,  heretofore  unknown, 
And  one  unique,  as  every  one  would  own. 
Then  Zetes  and  Calais  on  their  wheels, 
Propelled  by  pedals,  now  appeared ;  and  peals 
Of  loud  applause,  and  trumpets  blare  did  greet 
The  brothers,  as  they  drove  their  wheels  so 

fleet 
The  ladies,  wreaths  and  garlands  rare,  did 

fling, 

As  they  rode  up  abreast  betore  the  king, 
Who  gave  the  word  and  dropped  the  f kg,  and 

then — 

Away  they  sped  around  the  course,  and  when 
The  wings  upon  their  heels  were  brought  in 
play, 

78 


As  swift  as  hawks  they  speeded  on  their  way ; 
The  heavy  wheels  seemed  scarce  to  touch  the 

ground. 

As  o'er  the  course  the  brothers  flew  around. 
Such  lightning  speed  was  never  seen  before ; 
Old  Boreas,  himself,  could  do  no  more, 
As  scorching  swiftly  round  the  course  they 


race, 


The  axles  fairly  smoking  with  the  pace. 

Calais  was  ahead,  till  at  the  turn, 

His  hubs  began  to  blaze  and  fiercely  burn; 

Then  Zetes  forged  ahead  and  kept  the  lead, 

Calais  followed  closely,  and,  indeed, 

He  lapped  the  hind  wheel  of  his  brother's  bike, 

As  underneath  the  score  they  passed,  much 

like 

Two  fiery  meteors  with  smoking  trail. 
And  such  a  splendid  record  could  not  fail 
To  cause  the  wild  excitement  that  arose; 
The  loud  huzzas  and  cheers  that  at  the  close 
Did  greet  the  brothers  both;  and  each  was 

crowned 
With  laurel  wreaths — tumultuous  then  the 

sound. 

The  king  gave  Zetes,  then,  a  cup  and  ring; 
A  richly  broidered  scarf  the  queen  did  fling 
About  the  neck  of  Calais — and  so, 
The  novel  race  was  ended,  and  the  show. 
The  king  had  planned  a  royal  hunt  that 

day 

To  please  his  guests,  if  they  could  only  stay; 
And  Jason  was  persuaded  to  forego 
His  sailing,  for  another  day  or  so ; 


79 


He  would  have  sailed  that  very  day,  alas ! 
Could  he  have  known  the  thing  that  came  to 
pass* 

HE  hunt  had  proved  a  great 

success  for  all, 
And  many  were  the  trophies, 

great  and  small. 
Returning  toward  the  town  in 

joyous  mood, 
A  fierce  and  wounded  boar  rushed  from  a 

wood, 

And  with  his  cruel  tusks  he  ripped  and  tore 
The  seer  Idmon,  who  was  wounded  sore ; 
Then  Peleus  ran  up  and  with  his  spear 
He  pierced  the  boar ;  and  Idas  being  near, 
With  his  great  battle  axe  he  cleft  its  head ; 
This  done,  they  found  their  comrade  Idmon, 

dead! 

Poor  Idmon,  who  his  own  death  had  foretold, 
In  this  great  quest  to  seize  the  Fleece  of  Gold. 

They  bore  the  lifeless  hero  to  the  town, 
And  manly  tears  they  shed,  their  grief  to 

drown. 

And  then  upon  the  heels  of  this  great  woe 
There  came  a  greater  one,  could  that  be  so; 
The  helmsman  Tiphys,  bitten  by  a  snake, 
Was  also  dead — enough  their  hearts  to  break. 
They  buried  their  loved  comrades  by  the  sea, 
And  mourned  for  days  with  heartfelt  agony. 
They  sailed  away  at  last,  with  many 

fears, 
And  Lycus  sped  his  parting  guests  with  tears ; 


so 


sea 


was 


And  Dascylus,  his  son  and  heir,  he  sent — 
As  some  small  recompense,  was  his  intent — 
To  join  and  aid  the  heroes  in  their  quest; 
To  make  amends  he  did  his  very  best* 

Ancaeus,  now  the  helmsman,  steered  the 

ship; 

A  beam  wind  blowing,  caused  the  sail  to  dip, 
As  fast  upon  her  way  the  Argo  sped, 
The  river  Callichorus  just  ahead* 
And  soon  the  tomb  of  Sthenelus,  the  brave, 
Upon  the  beach,  washed  by  the  salt 

wave, 

Was  seen  upon  the  starboard  bow,  a-lee — 
A  surfeit  of  the  surf,  indeed,  had  he* 
(This  warrior  bold  by  woman's  hand 

slain; 
An    arrow  wound — but  deep   enough,  'tis 

plain — 

Inflicted  by  an  Amazonian  maid ; 
And  Hercules,  his  friend,  the  kst  rites  paid*) 
And  now  the  heroes  saw  a  fearful  sight — 
The  ghost  of  Sthenelus,  in  armor  bright — 
His  helmet  with  four  plumes  and  blood-red 

crest ; 

Upon  his  tomb  he  stood,  and  looked  his  best; 
He  gazed  and  smiled  at  Jason  and  his  crew, 
Then  waved  his  hand  and  quickly  passed  from 

view. 
Then  sailing  on  and  on  with  favoring 

breeze, 

They  saw  ere  long  beneath  the  willow  trees, 
The  stream  Parthenius,  so  fair  and  bright ; 
The  city  Sesamus  was  passed  at  night; 


81 


The  Erythinian  hills,  Crobialus, 
And  Cromne,  and  the  wooded  Cytorus 
Were  passed;  Carambis  then  was  left  astern; 
They  sailed  again  all  day  and  night,  in  turn* 

NON   they  reached   the  river 

Halys,  where 
They  anchored  for  a  day  or 

two,  and  there 
They  filled  their  jars  with  water, 

fresh  and  sweet ; 
The  sons  of  Deimachus  here 

they  meet — 
Deileon  and  Phlogius,  also 
Brave  Autolycus,  all  of  whom  we  know 
Had  fought,  with  Hercules,  the  Amazons ; 
And  all  were  eager,  these  three  noble  sons, 
To  join  the  quest,  with  Jason,  for  the  Fleece, 
All  for  the  glory  and  renown  of  Greece ; 
They  signed  the  roll,  and  then  embarked  that 

day, 
And  with  the  heroes  gladly  sailed  away. 

While  sailing  on,  there  rose  a  heavy  gale; 
They  kid  the  Argo  to,  and  furled  the  sail ; 
Then  manned  the  oars  and  labored  with  the 

sea, 

Made  for  the  land,  a  harbor  and  a  lee* 
The  headland  of  the  Amazons  in  sight, 
They  doubled  to  their  oars  and  rowed  with 

might; 
The  headland  then  they  weathered,  and  at 

last 
They  safely  in  the  sheltered  harbor  passed. 


And  here  they  found  good  fishing,  for  it 

seems 

The  Thermodon  is  formed  of  many  streams  ; 
About  a  hundred  branches,  large  and  small, 
And  many  kinds  of  fishes  in  them  all 
With  slender  reeds  for  rods,  and  silken  lines, 
The  heroes  found  good  sport  beneath  the 

pines, 
And  oaks,  and  olive  trees,  that  fringed  the 

shore 
Of  each  bright  stream;  a  stream  for  each, 

and  more* 

They  fished  with  bait  and  artificial  fly; 
To  catch  the  biggest  fish  they  all  did  try. 
The  small  ones  they  threw  back  again,  to 

grow; 
They  did  not  fish  for  count,  but  size,  you 

know* 

This  goes  to  show  that  in  the  olden  time, 
To  fish  for  count  was  thought  to  be  a  crime; 
It  seems  quite  clear  the  fish-hog  was  unknown, 
For  he  belongs  to  modern  days,  we  '11  own  — 
A  fishing  dude,  who  catches  great  and  small, 
But  mostly  fingerlings,  and  counts  them  all. 

Now,  Atalanta  had  the  nicest  rig, 
And  all  the  fish  she  killed  were  game  and 


Her  rod,  a  straight  and  slender,  supple  reed  ; 
Her  flies,  tied  by  herself,  were  rare,  indeed; 
Her  cast,  composed  of  three  artistic  flies, 
To  all  the  heroes  was  a  great  surprise. 


83 


UGH  hooks  I've  never  seen," 

said  Telamon, 
"They're  very  small,  but  very 

good,  I '11  own/' 
"  My  fishing  hooks,"  she  said, 

"are  sharp  and  fine, 
I  had  them  made  from  pattern 

wholly  mine; 
The  shape  is  something  new,  you  may  de- 
pend, 
And  I  have  named  the  hook  the  'Grecian 

Bend/" 

"  Now,  tell  me,  Atalanta,"  Jason  said, 
"  What  have  you  named  this  fly,  with  wings 

sored?" 

"  That  fly,"  said  Atalanta,  with  much  pride, 
"Is  'Maid  of  Athens/'     Then  the  others 

cried: 

"It's  made  of  feathers !"—"  Yes,  and  hand- 
made, too/' — 
"If  'Maid  of  Athens,'  it  should   then    be 

blue/'— 
"You're  right,"  said  she,  "it's  hand-fly  in 

the  cast, 

Byronically  speaking,  and  the  last* 
The  middle  one,  the  bob-fly,  funny  thing ! 
Is  made  of  covert  feathers  from  the  wing 
Of  Pegasus,  and  'Peggy'  is  its  name; 
Its  flight  is  quite  poetic ;  all  the  same 
A  right  good  fly;  its  wings  are  also  red; 
For  when  Perseus  lopped  Medusa's  head, 
And    Pegasus    sprang  from   her  blood,  of 
course, 


84 


We  know  he  was  a  blooded,  bright  bay 

horse/' 
"Why  do  n't  you  name  it  'horse-fly?'" 

Castor  said; 

But  Atalanta  only  shook  her  head* 
44  The  end,  or  tail-f ly,  leader,  if  you  choose, 
Is  best  of  all ;  a  very  clever  ruse ; 
4  Quicksilver  Doctor,'  I  have  named  this  fly, 
So  nimble,  quick    and    lively,    smart    and 

spry; 

For  Mercury  I've  named  it,  pretty  thing; 
It's  made  of  feathers  from  his  right  heel 

wing/' 

"If  that's  the  case,"  said  Meleager,  then, 
44  Why  should  n't 4  heeler '  be  its  cognomen  ? 
Or  'salivator,'  I  should  call  it  sure*"— 
44 1  think  you'd  better  take  the  Keely  Cure," 
Said  Atafanta,  getting  somewhat  tired* 
But  all  the  same,  her  flies  were  much  ad- 
mired* 

And  fish  rose  freely  to  the  clever  lures — 
The  deed,  and  not  the  name, 

success  assures* 
Next  day  the  Argo  getting 

under  way, 
The  Amazons  came  trooping 

toward  the  bay, 
Their  fighting  harness   on; 

and  at  their  head 
Marched  queen  Hippolyte  with 

martial  tread 

But  Jason  and  his  crew  were  all  aboard, 
And  safe  from  Amazonian  spear  or  sword* 

85 


HEN  queen  Hippolyte  approached 

the  shore; 
With  angry  voice  proclaimed  she 

was  for  war 
With  all  marauding  ships  and 

roving  men ; 

44  Be  off ! "  she  cried, "  and  do  not 
come  again; 


Hereafter,  fishing  rights  will  be  reserved, 

And  game  and  fish,  by  law,  will  be  pre- 
served ; 

The  bank  of  every  stream  will  bear  the  sign : 

'No  Fishing  Here/  and  death  will  be  the 
fine/' 

"  Good  queen/'  quoth  Jason, "  that  is  hardly  so, 

For  we  found  fishing  very  good,  you  know ; 

A  sign  so  false  would  never,  never  do; 

As  you  are  good  and  beautiful,  be  true. 

We  came  to  fish,  and  do  not  care  to  fight ; 

We  only  took  the  large  ones,  which  is  right ; 

The  small  ones  we  threw  back  again  to 
grow/' 

44  K  that 's  the  case,"  replied  the  queen,  "  then 
know 

That  you  are  welcome  any  time  to  fish 

In  all  my  streams,  and  come  whene'er  you 
wish/' 

The  heroes  thanked  the  queen,  with  one  ac- 
cord— 

Thus  angling  virtue  finds  its  own  reward. 
And  now  the  Argo  left  the  land-locked 
bay; 

With  sail  unfurled,  proceeded  on  her  way. 


86 


Next  day,  toward  night,  the  smoke  borne  on 

the  breeze. 

Proclaimed  the  land  where  dwelt  the  Chalybes ; 
The  mining  folk  who  delved  the  iron  ore, 
And  worked  amid  the  furnace  smoke  and 

roar* 
Then  next  they  passed  the  headland  bold 

and  sheer, 

And  named  for  mighty  Zeus,  whom  all  fear. 
And  then  they  coasted  by  the  rocky  shore 
Where  dwelt  the  Tibareni,  men  who  bore 
Vicarious  troubles — so  it  is  averred — 
Which  you  may  read  in  scholia,  word  for 

word* 

And  then  the  Holy  mountain  rose  in  view, 
And  hills  where  dwelt  the  Mossynoeci,  too; 
These  moss-backs,  in  their  houses  built  of 

wood, 

Had  customs  very  strange,  IVe  understood; 
What  others  in  their  houses  always  do, 
They  always  did.  outside,  in  public  view. 
No  room  for  scandal,  then,  it  would  appear, 
Among  the  Mossynoeci,  that's  most  clear; 
They  saw  themselves  as  others  saw  them, 

too, 
In  Nature's.mirror  held  to  public  view. 

All  these  they  passed ;  and  rowing  swiftly, 

now, 

The  isle  of  Ares  on  their  starboard  bow 
Loomed  up*    A  huge  bird  then  came  swoop- 
ing by, 

And  from  his  pinion  broad  and  swift  let  fly 
A  feather,  long  and  sharp,  which  quickly  sped, 

87 


And  pierced  the  shoulder,  barely  missed  the 

head, 

Of  brave  Oileus,  who  dropped  his  oar; 
Eribotes  plucked  out  the  shaft,  all  gore ; 
Then  with  his  baldric  bound  the  bleeding 

wound* 
The    curious    feathered    shaft   was    passed 

around, 
And  viewed  with  wonder  by  the  Argo's  crew* 

UST  then  another  bird  ap- 
peared and  flew 
Above  the  mast,  and  shot  a 

feathered  dart, 
Which  hissing  thro'  the  air 

caused  all  to  start, 
Save  Clytius,  who  with  his 

well-strung  bow, 
And  on  the  wing,  soon  laid  the  huge  bird  low* 
Then  rose  Amphidamas,  and  from  his 

place, 

Declared  the  way,  this  danger  new,  to  face : 
44  The  isle  of  Ares,  I  have  heard,"  he  said, 
"Is  guarded  well  by  these  huge  birds,  so 

dread* 

When  Hercules  with  arrows  could  not  drive 
The  birds  Stymphalid,  then  did  he  contrive 
Another  plan,  which  drove  the  birds  away; 
And  this  the  plan  we  must  adopt  to-day* 

44  That  plan  is  now  to  raise  a  mighty  din, 
By  clashing  sword  and  buckler;  this  will  win* 
When  Hercules  his  brazen  armor  shook 
With  dreadful  din,  the  frightened  birds  forsook 


83 


The  mere  Stymphalid,  filled  with  wild  alarms ; 
We  '11  find  mere  noise  annoys  them  more  than 

arms/' 

The  heroes  then  their  armor  did  put  on ; 
Their  brazen  helmets  also  did  they  don. 
One-half  the  crew  then  roofed  the  vessel  in 
With  shields  and  bucklers;  then  they  made  a 

din 
By  clashing  shield  and  buckler,  sword  and 

spear, 

The  others  rowed  the  ship  with  lessened  fear, 
Protected  by  the  metal  roof  overhead ; 
And  swiftly  toward  the  shore  the  Argo  sped* 
The  birds  affrighted,  from  the  island  rose, 
And  flew  in  terror  from  their  noisy  foes ; 
They  wildly  shot  their  feathers  all  away, 
And  dropped  upon  the  sea  in  dire  dismay; 
Their  motive  power  and  weapons  thus  they 

lost, 

And  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  were  tossed. 
Thus,  some  highflyers  at  the  present  day, 
Their  substance  and  their  power  throw  away. 

Arriving  at  the  isle,  the  heroes  found 
Four  shipwrecked  sailors,  weak  and  nearly 

drowned; 

The  sons  of  Phrixus,  bound  from  Colchis  land 
For  Orchomenus,  by  the  king's  command. 
For  king  -££etes,  being  warned,  'tis  said, 
Of  danger  from  his  household,  felt  a  dread 
Of  these,  his  daughter  Chalciope's  sons, 
And  so  the  king  this  threatened  danger  shuns, 
By  sending  them  to  sea,  and  in  a  boat 
Unsafe  and  old,  not  fit  to  sail  or  float. 

89 


ND  as  foretold  by  Phineus,  these 

four 
Agreed  to  go  with  Jason;  what 

is  more: 
Agreed  to  guide  the  ship  to  JEa, 

where, 
The  king  JEetes  reigned;  whose 

constant  care 
Was  well  to  guard  and  keep  the  Golden  Fleece, 
Stripped  from  the  ram  that  bore  from  shores 

of  Greece 

Their  father  Phrixus  to  the  Colchian  land — 
The  Fleece  that  Jason  now  would  soon  de- 
mand. 

This  Golden  Fleece,  the  brothers  did  declare, 
Was  guarded  night  and  day  with  jealous  care ; 
A  sleepless  dragon  watched  beneath  the  tree 
Whereon  it  hung,  a  glorious  sight  to  see; 
Within  the  grove  of  Mars,  a  sacred  thing, 
The  greatest  treasure  of  the  wicked  king. 
Next  morn  a  gentle  wind  blew  fresh  and 

free, 

They  left  the  isle  of  Ares  on  the  lee ; 
And  sailing  on  without  mishap,  all  day, 
At  night  they  passed  the  isle  of  Philyra. 
Philyra  in  the  olden  time  did  dwell 
About  this  isle,  and  Saturn  knew  it  well ; 
This  water  nymph,  Philyra,  was  the  mere, 
Or  mother,  of  the  Centaur  Chiron,  fair. 

The  Argo,  favored  by  the  welcome  breeze, 
Sailed  on  and  on,  and  passed  the  Macrones. 
The  coast  of  Becheiri  then  was  passed ; 
The  lawless  Sapeira  left  at  last; 


90 


Anon  they  heard    heart-rending   cries  and 

shrieks, 

And  saw  an  eagle  soaring  o'er  the  peaks, 
Where  to  a  rock,  bound  fast  with  chains  of 

brass, 

And  afterward  the  Byzerae  were  left 
Astern,  as  onward  thro'  the  waters  cleft 
The  good  ship  Argo,  till  arose  in  view 
The  cliffs  of  the  Caucasian  mountains,  blue* 
Prometheus  was  doomed  the  days  to  pass; 
And  on  his  liver,  fed  this  dreadful  bird ; 
And  his,  the  fearful  cries,  the  heroes  heard* 
That  night  they  reached  their  journey's 

end,  at  last, 
And  furled  the  sail,  unstepped  the  well-tried 

mast; 

And  rowing  slowly  'gainst  the  ebbing  tide, 
They  left  the  city  JEa  on  one  side, 
Till  near  the  field  of  Ares,  sacred  grove, 
They  anchored  in  a  shady,  sheltered  cove* 
Then  from  a  golden  chalice,  Jason  poured 
Libations  sweet;  the  crew  with  one  accord 
Gave  thanks  to  all  their  guardian  gods  that 

they 
Had  reached  their  journey's  end,  and  blessed 

the  day* 


'END  OF* 


BOOK  n* 


ARGUMENT. 

Hera  and  Athena  persuade  Aphrodite  to  send  Eros 
to  Medea*  Meantime  Jason  comes  to  -^Eetes,  king  of 
Colchis,  and  begs  the  Fleece;  but  the  king  was  exceed- 
ing wroth,  and  set  him  great  labors  to  perform,  namely, 
to  yoke  two  fire-breathing  bulls,  and  sow  the  dragon's 
teeth  upon  Ares'  acre,  and  then  to  slay  the  earth-born 
giants  who  should  rise  o'er  the  lea* 

But  Medea  is  in  love  with  Jason,  and  gives  him 
drugs  to  tame  those  bulls,  telling  him  how  to  accomplish 
all*  Wherefore  Jason  finished  the  appointed  task,  to  the 
grief  and  wonder  of  ^Eetes*-—  (Adapted  from  the  Scho- 
liasts.') 

93 


OH 
.ALLRI6HT7 


*  *  » 


obtain, 

And  take  it  back  to  lolchos  again* 
The  mighty  king  they  held  in  wholesome 

dread. 

The  son  of  Helios,  the  sun,  't  was  said ; 
No  king  in  all  the  world  so  great  as  he, 
The  proud  -^etes,  lord  of  land  and  sea* 
The  heroes  then  resolved  to  speak  him 

fair, 
With  friendly  words;  with  precious  gifts 

and  rare, 

With  all  the  arts  of  soft  diplomacy, 
To  soothe  and  flatter  this  great  king,  that  he 
Might  haply  bid  them  take  the  Golden  Fleece 
From  Colchis  to  the  sunny  shores  of  Greece* 
But  if  fair  means,  their  end  to  gain,  should 

fail,     , 

Then  strategy  or  force  must  e'en  prevail* 
No  terrors  now,  nor  dangers,  could  subdue 
The  ardor  and  the  purpose  of  the  crew* 


95 


UT  Juno,  faithful  guardian, 

knew  indeed, 
The  quest  without  her  aid 

would  ne'er  succeed ; 
So  with  Minerva  she  to 

Venus  sped, 
And  to  the  matchless  queen  of  love  she  said : 
44  My  dearest  Venus,  we  your  help  desire ; 
The  quest  of  Jason  is  the  question  dire ; 
Without  your  aid,  we  fear  he  is  undone; 
Request  we,  therefore,  that  you  send  your 

son, 

Fair  Cupid,  with  his  arrows  and  his  bow, 
To  Colchis  land ;  in  haste,  too,  must  he  go» 
The  king,  ^Eetes,  hath  a  daughter  fair, 
A  comely  maid,  with  wondrous  golden  hair, 
Well  skilled  in  sorc'ry,  also,  is  this  maid, 
Which  she  must  use  in  noble  Jason's  aid. 
Now  this  our  plan,  Minerva's  plan,  and 

mine; 

Inspire  Medea's  soul  with  love  divine; 
Bid  Cupid  wound  her  with  his  sharpest 

dart, 

And  plant  a  love  for  Jason  in  her  heart." 
44  Most  gracious  goddess,"  Venus  then 

replied, 
"Your  slightest  wish  shall  be  my  law; 

beside, 

To  help  brave  Jason  in  his  noble  quest, 
Is,  I  consider,  quite  a  priv'lege  blest. 
Cupid  is  shooting  craps  with  Ganymede; 

96 


TITTLE 
U  -FISHES 


I'll  send  him  off,  at  once,  with  greatest 

speed. 

You  may  be  sure  that  he  will  do  his  part, 
And  hit  the  bulPs-eye  of  Medea's  heart/' 
The  river  fog  hung  low  the  following 

day, 

When  Jason  started  for  the  town  JEa. 
And  with  him  went  the  sons  of  Phrixus, 

who, 
Were  saved  from  shipwreck  fay  the  val'rous 

crew* 

Enveloped  by  the  fog  that  Juno  sent, 
And  safe  from  prying  eyes,  their  way  they 

went 

Across  the  plain ;  then  through  the  city  gate ; 
At  last  within  the  palace  court  they  wait. 
Then  Juno  caused  the  cloud  of  mist  to 

rise, 
And  wondrous  things  disclosed  to  Jason's 

eyes. 
Around  the  court  were  marble  columns 

tall, 
And  brazen  arms  and  armor  graced  the 

wall; 
And  fountains  spouting  water,  milk  and 

wine  " 
And  rare  perfumes;  while  tree  and  plant 

and  vine 
Bore  luscious  fruits,  and  flowers  of  gorgeous 

dyes; 
it  seemed  a  glorious,  earthly  paradise. 

97 


About  the  palace,  then,  the  news  soon 

spread, 

That  Phrixus*  sons,  who,  given  up  for  dead, 
Had  safe  returned;  the  servants  wept  for  joy; 
While  Chalciope  cried:  "My  boy!  my 

boy!" 
Embraced  each  son  in  turn,  and  welcome 

gave 
To  Jason,  who  had  saved  them  from  the 

grave* 

EDEA,  fairest  maid  in  all 

the  land, 
A  sorceress,  with  the  fates 

at  her  command, 
A  priestess  of  the  goddess 

Hecate, 

No  one  so  loved,  nor  yet  so  feared,  as  she. 
Yet  modestly  she  stood  aloof  and  gazed 
At  Jason's  noble,  princely  mien;  amazed 
At  such  a  paragon  of  form  and  face, 
More  like  a  god,  than  of  the  human  race. 

Then  last  of  all  came  -ffietes,  the  king, 
Who  inward  cursed  the  news  that  all  did 

bring, 

That  Phrixus'  sons  had  all  returned  alive ; 
Some  other  murderous  plan  he  must  contrive. 
For  Helios,  his  father,  long  ago, 
Had  warned  him  'gainst  a  wily,  dangerous 

foe 
Within  his  household,  one  of  his  own  blood, 

98 


Whose  secret  plotting  boded  him  no  good. 
His  son  Absyrtus,  and  his  daughters  two, 
He  knew  were  ever  faithful,  loyal,  true. 
Upon  his  grandsons,  then,  suspicion  fell; 
If  rid  of  them,  he  thought  all  would  be  well; 
And  long  ago  he'd  sent  them  on  this  trip 
To  Orchomenus,  in  a  rotten  ship; 
And  feeling  sure  that  they  were  dead  or 

drowned, 
It  vexed  him  much  to  hear  that  they'd  been 

found. 
Meanwhile  the  roguish  Cupid,  though 

unseen, 
Brushed  close  by  Jason,  touched  him,  too, 

I  ween; 

With  arrow  fitted  to  his  tense-drawn  bow, 
He  made  an  off-hand  shot,  while  kneeling 

low, 

That  pierced  the  center  of  Medea's  heart; 
She  felt  the  shock  of  Cupid's  feathered  dart. 
The  pain  was  followed  by  a  sweet  desire, 
And  love  for  Jason  coursed  her  veins  like 

fire; 
A  fire  unquenched  by  blood,  for  we  know 

well, 
Love  grows  by  what  it  feeds  on — blood  will 

tell. 
And   now  a  feast  of   welcome  was 

prepared, 
For  Chalciope's  sons,  whose  lives  were 

spared; 


99 


And  Jason,  who  had  brought  them  safely 

home, 
No  more  on  tempest-driven  seas  to  roam* 

The  king  demanded,  then,  the  eldest  son, 
To  tell  him  why  his  will  had  not  been  done ; 
Why  he  to  Orchomenus  had  not  sailed, 
And  why  the  royal  expedition  failed* 

HE  eldest  son  replied,  with 

fear  and  dread: 
"O  king,  the  wonder  is 

we  are  not  dead; 
The  ship  you  gave  us  was 

both  weak  and  old, 
And  unseaworthy,  as  I  Ve  since  been  told* 
A  stress  of  weather  caused  her  seams  to 

gape, 
She  filled  and  sank;  we  then  made  our 

escape, 
And  on  our  oars  were  glad  to  reach  the 

shore, 
Borne  by  die  raging  seas,  heart-sick  and 

sore*" 
"That's    nonsense,"   cried  the   king, 

"your  ship  was  new, 
With  planks  of  oak,  and  copper-fastened, 

too; 
With  brazen  bolts  and  bands. her  keel  was 

bound 

To  keelson,  stem,  and  stern-post,  strong 
and  sound; 

100 


I 


LITTLE 
L     -FISHES 


I  saw  her  builtt  myself,  when  but  a  youth, 
And  know  whereof  I  speak;  and  now, 

forsooth, 

You  tell  me  she  was  old,  and  badly  found, 
And  foundered  in  a  gale,  because  unsound ; 
Her  planks  not  worth  a  copper,  and  her 

seams, 
It  seems  were  opened  'twixt  her  oaken 

beams 

By  stress  of  weather;  whether  this  is  true 
Or  not,  I  do  not  know;  the  ship  was  new, 
I  knew  that  long  ago;  and  I  believe 
She  struck  a  rock  and  opened  like  a  sieve ; 
If  not,  how  comes  it  that  this  other  ship 
That  rescued  you,  did  safely  sail  and  slip 
Through  this  same  storm  that  wrecked 

your  noble  craft, 
Her  timbers  shivered,  slivered,  fore  and 

aft?" 
"That   ship,  O  king,  the  staunchest 

craft  afloat, 

Designed  by  Juno,  is  a  heaven-born  boat; 
And  warriors,  half  divine,  compose  her 

crew, 

The  boldest  sailors  on  the  ocean  blue ; 
The  scions  of  immortal  eods  are  they, 
Whose  deeds  of  valor  helped  them  on  their 

way; 
All  dangers  of  the  land  and  sea  they  Ve 

passed, 
And  now  at  Colchis  have  arrived  at  last. 

101 


From  Greece  they  come,  that  famous 

far-off  land, 

With  Jason,  son  of  ^Eson,  in  command ; 
He  is  our  kinsman,  too,  as  you  may  know, 
From  Cretheus  descended — we  also. 
The  rightful  king  of  lolchos,  you  see, 
Though  Pelias   now  wears   his   crown; 

and  he 
Has  sent  brave  Jason  on  this  dangerous 

quest, 

To  you,  your  royal  highness,  to  request 
That  Phrixus'  Golden  Fleece  be  sent  to 

Greece, 

So  that  fair  land  may  thus  obtain  release 
From  Jove's  great  wrath  and  fury,  which  is 

due 
To  grievous  wrong  which  Athamas  did 

do, 

In  olden  time,  to  good  queen  Nephele, 
And  to  her  children,  Phrixus  and  Helle." 


UT!    wretched   caitiff!"    cried 

the  angry  king, 
"What  idle  tale  is  this  to  me 

ye  bring? 

These  vile  marauders,  men  of 
no  renown, 
Are  come  to  take  my  scepter  and  my 

crown. 

Think  ye  these  men,  rambunctious  though 
they  be, 

102 


Phrixus'  ram  would 


graceful 

pose; 

His  form  erect,  he  mildly  bowed  his  head ; 
Medea  hung  on  every  word  he  said* 

44  Most  gracious  king  -££etes,  list  I  pray, 
In  justice  to  a  stranger.    First,  I'll  say, 
That  every  word  your  grandson  spoke  is 

true, 
And  should  have  had  some  weight,  me- 

thinks,  with  you. 
The  Fleece  you  hold  so  lightly,  I  will 

own, 

To  me  is  everything;  in  short,  my  throne 
Depends  upon  its  safe  return  to  Greece, 
Where  it  will  bring  prosperity  and  peace ; 
The  pelt  you  deemed  just  now  of  little 

worth, 

To  me  is  the  one  thing  in  all  the  earth 
I  most  desire;  and  if  you'll  give  it  me, 
My  choicest  treasures,  brought  beyond  the 

sea, 

103 


85fr   "^ 


Shall  all  be  yours ;  bright  gems  and  jewels 

rare, 
And  cups  of  gold  and  silver,  chased  and 

fair; 

And  arms  and  armor,  dye-stuffs,  spices,  too, 
And  many  things,  I'll  freely  give  to  you. 


R  if  you  have  a  foeman  to  sub- 
due, 
Our  services  we  freely  offer  you ; 

If  you  have  colonies  to  pacify, 

Or  for  humanity  you  wish  to  try 
For  territorial  expansion,  then 
I  freely  offer  you  my  god-like  men. 
But  rest  assured  of  one  thing,  once  for  all, 
I ' ve  vowed  to  have  the  Golden  Fleece,  or 

fall." 

Now  king  ^Eetes  was  a  diplomat; 
His  royal  cheek  was  flushed,  and  he  stood 

pat; 

Concealing  well  his  anger  and  his  spite, 
He  said :  "  Perhaps  your  cause  is  just  and 

right; 

Perhaps  you  are  as  brave  as  you  pretend; 
I'll  put  you  to  the  test,  and  in  the  end, 
If  you  perform  the  task  I  have  in  view, 
The  Golden  Fleece  I  '11  freely  give  to  you. 
The  task  is  one  that  I  can  do  with  ease, 
No  other  can,  not  even  Hercules. 
I  have  a  pair  of  bulls,  whose  pedigree 
Is  of  the  purest  strain,  as  you'll  agree: 


104 


By  Vulcan's  f  orge,  and  out  of  molten  brass, 
Their  food  is  fire  and  f  lame  instead  of  grass* 
These  brazen  bulls,  whose  breath  is  fire  and 

flame, 

Your  task  will  be  to  render  kind  and  tame; 
Put  on  the  yoke,  and  harness  to  a  plow 
With  share  of  adamant;  which  I'll  allow 
No  one  but  me  can  safely  do  and  live, 
But  you  may  try;  my  leave  I  gladly  give* 
You  next  will  plough  a  furrow,  straight 

and  true, 

Across  the  field  of  Mars — as  I  can  do — 
Then  sow,  not  grain,  but  teeth  of  serpent 

dread, 

The  serpent  skin  by  Cadmus,  so  't  is  said ; 
And  from  these  teeth  your  crop  will  surely 

rise 

The  self-same  day,  perhaps  to  your  sur- 
prise; 

A  crop  of  fierce  and  warlike  men  will  grow 
From  out  the  furrow,  armed  from  head  to 

toe* 
Then  single-handed,  you  these  men  must 

slay — 
Then  with  the  Golden  Fleece  you'll  sail 

away." 
Thus  spoke  the  king  and  laughed  within 

his  sleeve; 

But  Jason  said :  ",£Letes,  by  your  leave, 
I'll  try  the  task  to-morrow,  though  I  die/' 
And  from  the  kingly  presence  quick  did  hie. 


105 


E  wandered  to  the  gar- 
den, much  depressed, 
And  in  a  thick-set  grove 

sat  down  to  rest* 
He  thought  the  Golden 
Fleece  could  ne'er  be 
won, 

And  sighed  to  think  his 
race  so  nearly  run* 

Medea,  when  she  heard  the  task  pro- 
posed— 

A  task  impossible,  the  king  supposed — 
Resolved  that  she  would  take  brave  Jason's 

part, 

And  aid  him  with  her  magic  spells  and  art; 
For  love  of  Jason  she  would  thwart  the 

king— 

O,  love  is  such  a  strange  and  curious  thing. 
And  in  that  time,  so  long  ago,  we're  told, 
The  old,  old  story  even  then  was  old. 
But  though  the  story  may  be  old,  'twould 

seem 
It's  always  new  and  bright  as  love's  young 

dream; 

And  Cupid,  after  all  these  many  years, 
Is  still  a  roguish  boy,  all  smiles  or  tears. 
Medea  followed  Jason  to  the  grove, 
For  love  had  made  her  bold,  and  haply 

strove 

Against  her  maiden  modesty ;  and  so, 
She  found  poor  Jason  in  the  depths  of  woe. 

1O6 


TISH&S 


"Forgive  me,  sir,"  she  said,  "if  I,  poor 

maid, 

Of  all  our  household  seem  the  least  afraid 
To  speak  of  gratitude  for  your  brave  deed, 
In  giving  help  in  time  of  direst  need 
To  Chalciope's  sons,  who  bid  me  say 
How  much  they  grieved  to  hear  the  king, 

to-day, 

Impose  a  task  so  difficult  on  you ; 
A  task  which  no  one  but  the  king  can  do." 
44  O,  fairest  maid,"  then  Jason  did  reply, 
44  With  your  kind  sympathy,  Til  gladly  die ; 
If  so  the  gods  have  deemed  that  it  should  be, 
Death  will  be  welcome  with  your  sym- 

£thy." 
ive  sir,  it  grieves  me  much,  this 
cruel  thing, 

That  by  my  father,  -ffietes  the  king, 
Is  thus  imposed  on  you  who  joy  did  give 
To  me  and  mine;  .that  those  thought  dead, 

still  live. 

O  would  that  I  might  perish  in  your  stead ; 

Alas !  9t  would  be  far  better  thus,"  she  said. 

44  O,  lovely  maiden,  if  within  your  heart 

You  have  a  thought  of  me,  't  were  hard  to 

part; 
But  if  that  thought  is  fraught  with  love  for 


me 


Then  gladly  will  I  die 
Thus  Jason  spoke,  and 
hand; 


for  I  love 


1 


EDEA  tried  her  feelings 

to  command* 
Then  smiling  through 
her  tears  of  joy,  she 
said, 
As  Jason  to  a  seat  the 

fair  girl  led: 
44  Why  talk  of   death, 
when  we  should  strive  to  live ; 
If  you  to  me  your  promise  fair  will  give 
To  love  me  always,  and  be  true  to  me, 
Then  I  will  help  in  this  extremity/' 

44  O  fairest  maid  in  all  the  world,"  he  said, 
If  I  do  live,  then  surely  we  will  wed; 
You  '11  share  my  throne  in  Greece,  beyond 

the  sea ; 

I  swear  by  all  the  gods  to  love  but  thee*" 
44  Know  then,"  she  said, "  I  have  a  sub- 
tile charm, 
That  can,  and  will,  preserve  you  from  all 

harm; 

With  aid  that  I  by  magic  can  invoke, 
The  brazen  oxen  you  may  safely  yoke ; 
Their  flaming  breath  will  bring  no  harm  to 

thee; 

And  harnessed  to  the  plow,  as  you  will  see, 
Straightway  across  the  field  of  Mars  they  '11 

go, 

And  plow  a  furrow  straight,  and  deep  also* 
And  when    the   dreaded   serpent's    teeth 


you  ve  sown, 


1O8 


LITTLE 
^     -FISHES 


'Twill  not  be  long  before  your  crop  is 

grown — 
A  band  of  fierce  and  warlike,  well-armed 

men, 
Whom,  by  my  magic  you  will  slay,  and 

then — 
Then  with  the  Golden  Fleece  you'll  sail 

away, 
And  soon  forget  Medea  and  -ffia," 

"When  I  forget  thee,  dearest  love/' 

said  he, 

44  May  I  be  swallowed  by  the  ruthless  sea; 
In  Pluto's  realm  may  I  be  doomed  to  pine, 
And  all  the  tortures  of  the  damned,  be  mine* 
Should  I  depart,  love,  with  the  Golden 

Fleece, 

I'll  carry  you,  my  promised  wife,  to  Greece; 
And  there,  my  wedded  wife,  you  '11  reign 

with  me, 

The  proudest,  happiest  queen  in  Thessaly. 
I  swear  by  all  the  gods,  this  solemn  vow : 
To  love  you  always,  as  I  love  you  now/' 
Then  Jason  sealed  the  compact  with  a  kiss ; 
Medea's  heart  was  full;  unspoken  bliss 
More  eloquent  than  words,  shone  in  her 

face,  - 
As  tears  and  sighs  and  fears  to  smiles  gave 

place* 
"Dear  Jason — for  you're  very  dear  to 


me," 
Medea  said,  and  blushed  to  speak  so  free : 


109 


dawn  to-morrow,  meet 
me  'neath  the  oak," — 
In  whispers,  now,  the  lovely 

maiden  spoke : — 
44  The  oak  beside  the  shrine 

of  Hecate, 

There  I'll  unfold  my  plan,  for  love  of  thee. 
And  now,  I  must  be  gone ;  and  you  are  free 
Until  to-morrow's  dawn — but  think  of  me/' 
One  long-drawn  kiss — then  from  his  side 

she  fled, 
Swift,  'neath  the  fragrant  trees,  nor  turned 

her  head* 
Then  Jason  rose,  as  from  a  pleasant 

dream, 
And  strode   across  the  plain  to  Phasis' 

stream. 

Then  soon  aboard  the  Argo  went  in  haste; 
The  heroes  all  assembled  in  her  waist ; 
To  them  he  told  his  story,  and  his  task, 
And  many  were  the  questions  all  did  ask. 
Said  Idas : 44  Let  us  try  the  force  of  arms, 
And  not  depend  on  magic  spells  and  charms ; 
Talk  not  to  me  of  fierce  fire-breathing  bull/' 
Said  Peleus :  44  Brave  Tason  's  got  a  pull, 
A  pull,  I  think  will  win,  from  his  report/' 
44  He  '11  surely  win  with  such  a  friend 

at  court," 

Said  Atalanta,  bravest  of  her  kind; 
"Now  mind,  my  friends,  that  when  a 
woman's  mind 

110 


i/7».s 


Has  formed  a  plan,  with  love  as  her  reward, 
You  '11  find  that  plan  more  mighty  than  the 

sword/' 

Then  Meleager,  taking  up  his  cue 
From  Atalanta,  said,  with  vigor,  too: 
"If  Jason  wants  to  play  the  hayseed  act, 
And  plow  and  sow  and  reap,  in  point  of  fact, 
To  raise  a  crop  of  men;  it  comes  to  pass, 
It's  all  the  same — all  flesh  we  know  is 

grass; 
The  time  will  come  when  all  will  plow  by 

steam, 
So  let  him  drive  his  fierce  fire-breathing 

team; 
And  heads  of  men  or  grass  he'll  surely 

clip- 
Whatever  man  doth  sow,  that  shall  he 

rip/' 
"I  hope,"  said  Pollux,  "none  will  feel 

afraid 

For  Jason's  sake,  nor  be  the  least  dismayed; 
This  maid  for  Jason  has  her  aid  proposed, 
And  he's  proposed  to  her;  the  bargain's 

closed ; 

And  by  this  bargain  count  her  of  the  crew, 
And  very  glad  we'll  be  to  have  her,  too. 
And  then  you  all  remember  what  was  said 
By  Phineus,  the  prophet,  on  this  head : 
That  Venus  would  assist  us  in  the  end; 
Be  sure  that  in  our  need  she'll  prove  our 

friend/' 


111 


OU 


re 


Orpheus, 
We  '11  gladly  welcome 

her  as  one  of  us; 
A  good  musician,  too, 

as  I've  heard  tell; 
So  fair,   so  wise,  so- 
prano, too,  as  well; 
She  '11  take  the  place  of  Hylas  in  the  choir, 
Perhaps,  in  time,  she'll  learn  to  play  the 

lyre/' 
And  then  a  feast  was  held,  and  gen'rous 

wine 
Did  cheer  the  hearts  of  these  brave  men, 

divine. 
In  jeweled  cup  they  pledged  bold  Jason's 

bride; 
With  song  and  story  cast  all  care  aside. 

Next  morn,  at  dawn,  Medea,  in  her  car, 
Arrayed  resplendent  as  the  morning  star, 
Attended  by  her  maidens,  secretly, 
Drove  quickly  to  the  shrine  of  Hecate* 
The  birds  were  piping  merry  roundelays, 
And  singing  matin  hymns  of  love  and 

praise* 

The  maidens  passed  within  the  temple  door, 
And  there,  with  secret  rites  and  prayers, 

implore 

Great  Hecate  to  give  Medea  power 
To  work  her  charms  with  magic  plant  and 
flower* 

112 


And  now,  Medea,  'neath  the  old  oak 

tree, 

For  Jason  watched  and  waited  patiently. 
Not  long  to  wait,  for  soon  he  came  in  haste; 
His  arm  was  soon  around  her  slender  waist ; 
And  breathing  words  of  love  and  constancy, 
He  kissed  away  her  tears  most  tenderly* 

44  O,  Jason  list,  for  time  now  flies  apace," 
Medea  said,  love  shining  in  her  face: 
44  This  precious  drug— -hide  quick  beneath 

your  cloak." — 
He  took  it  from  her  hand,  e'en  as  she 

spoke — 
44  'T  is  from  a  two-stalked  plant  distilled,  that 

grew 
Where  fell  the  drops  of  blood,  like  morning 

dew; 
Dropped  from  the  eagle's  beak  that  ruthless 

tore 

The  liver  of  Prometheus."    And  o'er 
Her  heart  she  pressed  her  hands,  and  gasped 

for  breath, 
For  fear  that  all  might  end  in  Jason's 

death. 
Then  Jason  drew  her  to  his  manly 

breast, 

And  lovingly  her  golden  locks  caressed. 
With  cheering  words  he  kissed  away  her 

woe. 
With  arms  clasped  round  his  neck  she 

whispered  low: 

113 


in 

its  flowing  tide ; 
And  while  the  morning; 
star  doth  faintly  gleam. 
Then  mix  the  drug  with 
water  from  the  stream ; 
And  with  the  magic  potion,  as  with  oil, 
Anoint  thy  body  well;  it  will  not  soil, 
But  fragrant  as  a  flower  upon  the  lea; 
A  match  for  deathless  gods  then  shalt  thou 

be* 
44 And  sprinkle  well  thy  sword  and  shield 

and  spear, 
No  danger  then,  dear  Jason,  need  you 

fear; 

And  e'en  the  brazen  oxen's  flaming  breath, 
That  otherwise  would  cause  your  instant 

death, 
Will  harmless  prove  to  thee,  my  love.    And 

then 
When  from  the  ground  arise  the  warlike 

men, 

With  sword  and  buckler,  spear  and  javelin ; 
Do  thou  a  great  stone  cast  amidst  the  din 
Of  clashing  swords  and  shields,  for  then 

will  tney 

Each  on  the  other  turn,  and  kill  and  slay. 
Then  mayest  thou  with  thy  charmed  spear 
and  sword 


114 


we 


sunny, 

And  there  I  hope  to  merit  love  and  pe 
44  My  own  sweet  love,"  said  Jason, 

will  pray 
The  gods  may  soon  vouchsafe  the  happy 

day." 

A  loving,  fond  embrace,  and  heart  to  heart, 
A  honied  kiss — and  then  the  lovers  part. 

Behold  next  day  upon  the  field  of  Mars, 
The  king  and  courtiers  in  their  warlike  cars. 
The  household  of  the  king  in  gilded  wain, 
Drove  through  the  gate,  and  out  upon  the 

plain. 

And  then  Medea,  fairest  sight  by  far, 
Attended  by  her  maidens  in  her  car. 
A  throng  of  soldiers  to  the  field  repair, 
With  banners  gay,  and  brazen  trumpet's 

blare. 
And  warriors,  priests  and  thralls,  with  one 

accord, 

Moved  out  upon  the  plain,  a  mighty  horde, 
To  witness  Jason's  sure  defeat  and  death, 


115 


By  these  dread  brazen  bulls  with  flaming 
breath. 

ND  now  the  grandest 
sight  of  all  appears — 
The  Argo,  sailing 
proudly,    while    the 
cheers 
Of  Jason  and  his  heroes 

rent  the  air ; 
They  came  to  conquer, 
came  to  do  or  dare. 
The  mighty  ship  sailed  swiftly  up  the 

stream, 
The  morning  breeze  blew  fresh,  abaft  the 

beam; 

And  fifty  oars  in  perfect  time  were  plied, 
Like  fifty  giant  arms  along  her  side. 
Ancaeus,  putting  down  the  helm,  she  veered 
Into  the  wind ;  then  for  the  shore  he  steered. 
The  sail  was  lowered  and  furled  upon  the 

yard, 
The  oarsmen  still  were  rowing  fast  and 

hard, 

Until  at  length  the  river  bank  they  reach, 
And  backing  ship,  they  stopped  beside  the 

beach, 

And  safely  moored  the  Argo  in  the  lee, 
The  proudest  ship  that  ever  sailed  the  sea. 
The  heroes  leaped  ashore  with  perfect  ease, 
And  formed  in  solid  phalanx  'neath  the 


trees ; 


116 


Then  boldly  marched,  with  Jason  at  their 

head, 

The  very  earth  did  tremble  at  their  tread* 
Then  marching  to  the  chariot  of  the 

king, 
Gave  three  Greek  cheers  that  made  the 

welkin  ring; 
The  welkin  rang,  and  rang  again,  I've 

heard, 
But  badly  cracked  remained  from  cheer  the 

third* 

The  Colchian  welkin  ne'er  will  ring  again, 
'T  was  sorely  damaged  by  these  loud-voiced 

men* 

"-££etes,  let  me  introduce  my  friends/' 
Said  Jason,  anxious  then  to  make  amends; 
They,  doffing  helmets,  gave  their  college 

yell, 

Old  Chiron's  college  yell,  and  did  it  well ; 
So  well,  in  fact,  that  birds  for  miles  around, 
With  bursted  galls,  dropped  dead  upon  the 

ground* 

The  king,  astonished,  rose  up  in  his  car, 
The  yell  reverberating,  near  and  far* 

"I'm  pleased  to  meet  you,  gentlemen," 

said  he, 

44 But  don't  repeat  that  yell;  it  don't  agree 
With  thin-skinned  people,  like  we  Colchians 

are; 
Your  fine  Greek  chorus  is  too  loud,  by 

far* 


117 


brazen 

oxen,  you  will  find 
That  everything  is  ready 

for  the  test; 
That  you  decline,  I  really  think  is  best; 
For  I,  and  I  alone,  the  task  can  do, 
Be  warned  in  time;  it's  certain  death  for 

TOO." 

Then  Idas  quickly  spoke :  "  O,  gracious 

king, 

We  wouldn't  miss  the  show  for  anything; 
'T  would  be  too  bad  to  disappoint  the  cro  wd, 
And  Tason,  he  will  do  your  oxen  proud; 
For  ne's  a  bully  boy,  I'd  have  you  know, 
Your  brazen  bulls  with  him  will  prove  too 

slow/' 

Then  Pollux  spoke,  the  famous  pugilist, 
And  to  his  helmet  raised  his  brawny  fist : 
"Should  Jason  smash  your  bulls,  most 

gracious  sire, 

And  by  his  mettle,  quench  their  metal  ire, 
We  '11  all  chip  in  and  buy  another  pair, 
Or  send  them  straight  to  Vulcan  for  repair ; 
The  straight,  you   know,  will  both  pair 

surely  beat. 

Or  Jason,  flushed  with  pride  in  their  defeat, 
Will  order  three,  from  brazen  kine,  you 

see — 
Three  of  a  kind,  then  surely  there  will  be." 

118 


"You  speak  in  Grecian  idioms,"  said 

the  king, 

"A  Grecian  idiom  is  a  stupid  thing* 
But  talk  is  cheap;  to  business  now  we'll 

turn, 
That  I'm  a  business  man,  you  soon  will 

learn; 

This  is  my  busy  day;  it 's  getting  late, 
And  time  and  tide,  you  know,  for  no  man 

wait* 

As  Jason  still  insists  the  bulls  to  yoke, 
Perhaps  he  '11  find,  too  late,  it  is  no  joke. 
You  Greeks  may  nod  and  laugh  and  smile 

and  wink; 

That  he  will  yoke  the  oxen — I  don't  think. 
But  should  he  do  so,  and  perform  the  task — 
Then  everything  is  his  that  he  may  ask; 
The  Fleece  of  Gold,  a  paltry  thing,  at  best, 
My  crown  and  scepter,  throne,  and  all  the 

rest; 
When  Greece  her  knees  a  suppliant  bent, 

you  know; 
A  suppliant  bent — then  grease  her  knees, 

just  so; 

A  Colchian  school-boy  chestnut,  I'll  admit, 
But  one  that  this  occasion  seems  to  fit. 


44 


Here,  Jason,  hold  your  helmet,  take 

these  teeth, 

The  seed  you  are  to  sow  upon  this  heath; 
And  when  the  seed 's  into  the  furrow  sown, 


119 


//I 


Not  long  you'll  have  to  wait  before  it's 

grown; 
A  crop  of  fierce  and  well-armed  men,  and 

brave, 
Whom  you  must  reap  and  bind,  your  life 

to  save; 
Remember,  he  who  by  the  plow  would 

thrive, 

Must  either  hold  the  plow,  himself,  or  drive ; 
As  you  '11  do  both,  why  you  can  plainly  see, 
The  thing 's  impossible — except  for  me/' 

ROT  out  your  bulls,"  said  Jason, 

let's  begin, 
A  thing  begun 's  half  done ;  I  'm 

sure  to  win. 
Your  bulls  are  muzzle-loaders — obsolete ; 
I'll  draw  their  fire;  'tis  quite  an  easy  feat* 
I'm  made  of  pure  asbestos,  and  fire-proof; 
A  perfect  salamander — web  and  woof. 
The  warmest  member  in  the  crowd ;  that 's 

right; 
There  '11  be  a  hot  time  in  the  town,  to-night." 

ERHAPS  my  bulls  are  not  so 

very  hot; 
You'll  find  them   sizzling,  in 

the  corner  lot ; 
Also  the  adamantine  plow  and  yoke." 
The  king  laughed  in  his  sleeve,  while  yet 
he  spoke. 

120 


Then  Jason  thrust  his  sword  into  the  sod, 
And  on  it  hung  his  helmet,  like  a  hod, 
Wherein  reposed  the  serpent's  teeth  for  seed, 
And  for  the  brazen  oxen  went  with  speed. 
And  as  he  passed  Medea,  lovely  maid, 
She  whispered:  " Jason,  do  not  be  afraid." 
The  women  all  admired  his  yellow  hair; 
They'd  never  seen  a  mortal  half  so  fair; 
They  threw  him  kisses  as  he  disappeared, 
And  prayed  for  his  success;  half  hoped, 

half  feared. 
But  what  is  this  that  caused  the  king  to 

look! 

While  all  his  frame  as  with  an  ague  shook ! 
'T  is  Jason  with  the  oxen  and  the  plow, 
As  to  the  yoke  their  brazen  heads  they  bow ; 
While  from  their  mouths  and  nostrils  sheets 

of  flame 

Extended  far  behind ;  but  all  the  same, 
And  unconcerned,  brave  Jason  plodded  on, 
His  team  obedient  to  his  voice,  anon. 
And  pulling  bravely,  with  their  might  and 

main, 
They  plowed  a  furrow  straight  across  the 

plain., 
"Gee,  Bright!    Whoa,  Buck!"   cried 

Tason,  as  with  gad, 
He  whacked  their  sides.   The  women  folks 

were  glad. 

"Hurrah  for  Jason!"  cried  the  heroes  then, 
And  such  a  shout  will  ne'er  be  heard  again. 


121 


HEN:    "What's   the 
matter  with  brave 
Jason,  now?" 
Cried  Meleager,  as  he 
watched  the  plow. 
«O!  he's  all  right  I" 
responded    afl    the 
crew 
The  king  looked  wild— 'twas  all  that  he 

could  do* 
Then  Jason,  running  nimbly  'cross  the 

sward, 

Took  up  his  helmet ;  buckled  on  his  sword. 
Then  in  the  furrow  sowed  the  serpent's  teeth, 
And  with  the  plow  he  turned  them  under- 
neath; 

And  in  the  corner  lot  at  length  did  stop, 
Turned  out  his  team;  returned  to  reap  his 

crop. 

Already  in  the  furrow,  bursting  through, 
Brass  helmets,  pushing  up  like  mushrooms, 

grew; 
Soon  followed  arms  and  bodies,  legs,  and 

then, 

Behold  the  band  of  fierce  and  warlike  men ! 
Well-armed  with  sword  and   javelin  and 

spear, 
They  clashed  their  shields,  and  showed  no 

sign  of  fear. 

Then  Jason,  shouting  loudly,  waved  his 
sword; 

122 


With  flashing  eyes  they  rushed,  with  one 
accord, 

To  slay  the  bold  intruder ;  but  they  found 

He  parried  all  their  blows,  and  stood  his 
ground* 

Then  Jason  catching  up  a  heavy  stone, 

With  all  his  strength  the  missile  then  was 
thrown, 

And  struck  to  earth  two  warriors  in  the 
crowd, 

Who  on  each  other  turned  with  curses  loud ; 

And  striking  right  and  left,  were  soon  en- 
gaged 

With  all  the  others — so  the  battle  waged. 

And  Jason,  slashing  with  his  magic  sword, 

Soon  all  had  bit  the  dust,  of  this  vile  horde. 
While  shouts  and  cries  of  victory  re- 
sound, 

His  comrades  lifted  Jason  from  the  ground, 

And  on  their  shoulders  bore  him  to  the 
king, 

And  cried:  "Lo,  here  the  conqueror,  we 
bring! 

And  since  he  has  performed  his  wondrous 
task, 

The  Golden  Fleece,  alone,  is  all  we  ask. 

Although  you  deemed  it  but  a  paltry  thing, 

We  prize  it  as  the  ransom  of  a  king. 

You  promised  him  your  crown,  and  scepter, 
too, 

But  these,  -fl£etes,  we  will  leave  with  you/' 


123 


contain  himself; 
Of  all  his  choicest  treas- 
ures, goods  and  pelf, 
The  Golden  Fleece   he 
prized  the  most  of  all; 
Some  plan  he  must  invent,  some  way  fore- 
stall 
These  loud-mouthed  Greeks;  he  cared  not 

for  his  word; 
That  he  should  keep  his  promise  seemed 

absurd. 
44 1  do  not  understand  this  thing,"  he 

said; 
His  face  turned  pale,  and  then  again  turned 

red* 
44 1  've  been  hoodoo'd  and  bunco'd,  that  is 

plain; 
My  bulls  were  hypnotized ;  the  earth-born 

slain; 
But  each  one  slew  the  other,  which  was 

hard; 

Each  man  was  hoisted  by  his  own  petard. 
But  since  by  some  vile  trick  the  task  is 

done, 
And  Jason  thinks  the  Golden  Fleece  he's 

won; 

I'm  willing,  now,  the  claim  to  arbitrate, 
As  is  the  custom  in  affairs  of  state* 
I'll  choose  two  men,  and  they  may  choose 

a  third, 

124 


To  them  the  matter  then  will  be  referred* 
As  ex-officio  I  '11  add  my  name ; 
We'll  thoroughly  investigate  the  claim* 
We'll  send  for  men  and  papers — that 's  the 

way; 
And  then*  when  through*  report  without 

delay* 

But  first*  a  protocol  will  be  prepared* 
Wherein  my  final  terms  will  be  declared* 
To  this  state  paper  each  his  name  must 

sign* 
The  names  of   all  concerned — excepting 

mine* 

Now*  one  thing  more  I'd  have  you  un- 
derstand: 
The  Golden  Fleece  will  never  leave  this 

land* 

A  mascot  true,  it  is  my  greatest  pride* 
Which  Phrixus  willed  to  me  before  he 

died; 

Dyed  in  the  wool  with  precious  virgin  gold* 
A  sacred,  priceless  thing*  to  have  and  hold* 
My  title's  good;  there's  not  the  slightest 

flaw; 

Possession  is^nine  points  in  Colchian  law. 
Therefore*  possess   yourselves  in  perfect 

peace* 

You  never  will  possess  the  Golden  Fleece* 
And  saying  which  he  quickly  drove 

away* 
The  Argonauts  had  not  a  word  to  say* 


125 


HEN  came  Medea,  with 

a  faithful  maid; 
She  beckoned  Jason  to 

her  side,  and  said : 
44  My  father's  shameful 
words  I  blushed  to 
hear; 

But  we'll  outwit  him, 
Jason,  never  fear. 

At  midnight  do  not  fail  to  come  to  me, 
Where  last  we  met — the  shrine  of  Hecate. 
Then  with  my  help  you'll  take  the  Golden 

Fleece, 

And  then  set  sail,  at  once,  for  far-off  Greece. 
Have  everything  prepared  for  instant  flight ; 
For  I  leave  home,  with  you,  this  very  night. 
Already  I'm  suspected  by  the  king, 
For  helping  you,  to-day,  to  do  this  thing. 
And  should  you  then  the  Fleece  take  from 

its  tree, 
A  shameful,  certain  death,  'twould  mean 

for  me, 
Should  I  remain  behind  when  you  were 

fled." 
44  My  faithful,  promised  wife,"  then  Jason 

said, 

44 1  will  not  sail  without  you,  never  fear; 
You  are  to  me  most  precious,  fond  and  dear, 
wifi  only  cease  with  life, 


My  love  for  you 
And  some  day  you 
wife." 


be  my  cherished 


120 


LITTLE 
^    TISHLS 


She  pressed  his  hand,  then  said :  "  Do 

not  forget; 
Good-bye!  to-night — alone — where  last  we 

met/' 

Then  in  her  car  the  crowd  she  soon  outran* 
And  Jason  to  the  heroes  told  the  plan* 
Aboard  the  ship  they  sang  a  merry 

tune* 
Right  glad  they  were  to  leave  the  place  so 

soon* 

Though  Idas  said  he  did  not  think  it  right* 
To  sneak  away  without  a  chance  to  fight. 
To  have  his  way,  he  said  he'd  sack  the 

town* 
Then  take  the  Golden  Fleece,  and  smash 

Petes'  crown* 

But  better,  wiser,  counsel  still  prevailed. 
And  down  the  stream  the  Argo  swiftly 

sailed* 
Again  they  moored  her  in  the  sheltered 

bight, 
And  then  prepared  all  things  for  instant 

flight* 


127 


ARGUMENT. 

discovers  all;  but  meantime  Medea  has  fled 
to  the  Argonauts;  and  by  her  aid  they  have  taken  the 
Fleece  and  gone*  Absyrtus,  son  of  -dEetes,  gives  chase ; 
but  coming  up  with  them  is  treacherously  slain,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Ister,  by  Jason  and  Medea;  whereat  Zeus 
is  angry,  but  Hera  ever  befriends  them.  Thence  they 
come  to  Circe  to  be  purified  of  the  murder;  and  they  pass 
through  "the  Wandering  Rocks/'  and  through  Scylla 
and  Charybdis,  and  past  the  Sirens,  all  save  Butes ;  and 
come  unto  Corcyra,  where  Medea  is  saved  by  Alcinous 
from  the  pursuit  of  the  Colchians,  and  is  wedded  to 
Jason.  Next  they  are  driven  to  the  Syrtis  off  Libya,  and 
suffer  greatly  from  thirst.  Here  Canthus  and  Mopsus 
meet  their  doom;  and  the  rest  are  saved  by  Triton  and 
sent  upon  their  way  to  Crete,  where  Tabs  withstands 
them,  only  to  fall  before  Medea's  magic. 

After  this  they  make  a  straight  run  to  -flSgina,  and 
so  without  further  adventure  to  their  home  in  Thessaly. — 
(Adapted  from  the  Scholiasts.) 

>29 


midnight,  at 
pointed  time  and  place 
Medea    waited:    tearj 


she  said; 
"O!  would  that  I,  unhappy  maid,  were 

dead!" 

But  Jason  coming,  kissed  away  her  tears; 
With  soothing  words  soon  banished  all  her 

fears. 

44 O I  lason,  I  am  leaving  all  for  you; 
My  childhood's  home;  my  faithful  maids, 

and  true; 

My  father,  mother,  brother,  sister  dear ; 
My  native  land — and  all  for  love  sincere* 
For  love  of  you,  dear  Jason,  all  I  leave, 
For  in  your  love  I  trust;  in  you  believe. 
Henceforth  my  all — my  very  life  you  '11  be ; 
And  will  you  love  me  always — only  me  ?  " 
44  Sweet  love,"  said  Jason,  "by  the  gods 

I  swear, 
No  one  with  you  my  true  heart's  love  will 

share; 

This  day,  my  sweet,  you  saved  my  worth- 
less life;  131 


Henceforth  it's  yours — my  faithful,  prom- 
ised wife/' 

HEN  Jason  brushed  aside 

her  golden  hair, 
And  sealed  his  vow  upon 

her  forehead  fair. 
Around  his  neck  her  white 

arms  then  she  flung, 
And  to  his  tall  and  graceful  form  she  clung, 
E'en  like  a  vine  that  clingeth  to  a  rock, 
Though  countless  storms  may  rage  and 

tempests  shock. 
She  laid  her  tear-stained  cheek  upon  his 

breast, 

And  gently,  he  her  golden  locks  caressed; 
When  starting  up,  as  if  from  sleep,  she 


44 


sasped; 


'ime  flies  apace ! "  and  then  his  hand 
she  clasped, 

And  gliding  swiftly  'neath  the  silent  stars, 
She  led  him  to  the  sacred  grove  of  Mars ; 
And  there  the  wondrous  sight  did  he  behold, 
The  goal  of  all  his  hopes — the  Fleece  of 

Gold! 

Its  dazzling  light  resplendent  shone  around; 
But  underneath  there  lay  upon  the  ground, 
The  dreadful  dragon,  coiled  about  the  tree 
Where  hung  the  Golden  Fleece ;  its  guar- 
dian, he. 

His  countless  folds  were  clad  with  shield- 
like  scales: 

132 


uvmts 


And  sickle-like,  and  sharp,  his  long,  curved 

nails* 

His  red  and  slimy  mouth  was  opened  wide, 
With  rows  of  teeth  like  spear-heads,  side  by 

side; 
While  from  his  yellow  nostrils,  snoring 

loud, 

His  sickly,  noisome  breath  arose,  a  cloud, 
44  Haste,  Jason,  do  not  be  the  least  afraid ! 
Quick!  seize  the  Golden  Fleece!"  Medea 

said, 

44  The  dreadful  beast,  who  never  slept  before, 
I  charmed  to  sleep  an  hour  ago,  or  more. 
The  magic  potion  soon  will  lose  its  spell; 
Quick !  seize  the  Fleece,  and  all  will  yet  be 

well!" 

She  placed  her  sandaled  foot  upon  its  head, 
And  crooning  softly  to  the  dragon,  said: 
"Sleep  on,  O  dreaded,  fearful  beast, 

sleep  on; 
May  dreams,  in  fancy,  bring  thee  pleasures 

gone; 

Sleep  on,  O  monster,  while  the  owl  doth  fly ; 

While  kind  moon-goddess  Hecate  is  nigh." 

And  o'er  the  dragon's  eye-lids  then  she 

poured  - 

The  soporific  drug — he  louder  snored. 
Then  Jason  lightly  stepped  from  fold  to  fold, 
And  from  the  tree  he  took  the  Fleece  of  Gold. 
As  in  his  arms  he  bore  the  long-sought  prize, 
The  monster  dragon  opened  wide  his  eyes, 

133 


And  from  his  throat  emitted  such  a  roar, 
The  earth  did  quake  for  miles,  from  shore 
to  shore. 

EDE  A  threw  her  mantle 

o'er  its  head, 
Then  swiftly  from  the 
olace,  with  Jason,  fled. 
The  shining  Fleece  lit 
up  their  path  like  day, 
As  through  the  grove 
they    quickly    made 
their  way. 

And  thence  across  the  plain  unto  the  ship; 
Then  quick  aboard — the  crew  the  cables 

slip. 

And  down  the  river  soon  were  rowing  fast, 
Till  near  the  river's  mouth  they  stopped,  at 

last. 

Then  Jason,  standing  on  the  vessel's  stern, 
Addressed  the  heroes,  who,  their  faces  turn 
To  where  he  stood,  Medea  by  his  side, 
The  fairest  maid  in  all  the  world,  so  wide. 
"O,  brothers,  many  dangers  we  have 

shared ; 
Our  lives  from  many  perils  hath  been 

spared ; 

Until,  at  kst,  the  object  of  our  quest 
Hath  been  secured;  and  I  am  doubly  blest. 
This  is  the  happiest  moment  of  my  life, 
For  you  Ve  obtained  the  Fleece,  and  I  a  wife. 
To  guard  her  safely,  now  will  be  your  care, 

134 


For  some  day  she  as  queen,  my  throne  will 

share* 

And  bear  me  witness ;  by  the  gods  I  vow  I 
To  love  her  always,  as  I  love  her  now. 
Without  her  aid  the  Golden  Fleece  would  be, 
Still  guarded  by  the  dragon  'neath  the  tree." 
Thus  Jason  spoke.  Then  Peleus  replied : 
44  O,  Jason,  with  our  lives  we  '11  guard  your 

bride." 
And  then  Medea,  stretching  out  her 

hand, 
Cried:  "Heroes!  look!  O  look  upon  the 

land! 

The  beacon  fires  are  lit  on  every  hill; 
Hoist  up  your  sail,  and  quickly  let  it  fill. 
The  warning  bell  is  clanging  in  the  tower ; 
Bend  to  your  oars,  and  pray  the  gods  for 

power! 

My  father  is  alarmed ;  he  knows  I  Vc  fled ! 

And  ta'en  the  Golden  Fleece ! "  Medea  said. 

And  as  she  spoke,  behold  upon  the 

strand, 

The  chariot  of  the  king;  and  in  his  hand 
A  flaming  torch,  that  like  a  meteor  flew ; 
And  urging  on  his  horses  passed  from 

view 

Around  the  point  below;  and  followed  then, 
A  multitude  of  horses,  cars  and  men. 
While  up  the  river,  sailors  loudly  cried ; 
Manned  sails  and  oars,  to  catch  the  ebbing 

tide. 


135 


to 


And  as  the  early  dawn  began 

A  hundred  ships  soon  followed  Argo's  wake. 


ITH  sail  and  oars  the  Argo 

swiftly  sped ; 
But  at  the  river's  mouth, 

not  far  ahead, 
A  huge  ship  blocked  the 
channel;  while  on  shore, 
An  army  of  a  thousand  men,  or  more, 
Were  waiting  for  the  Argo  and  her  crew* 
Then  Jason  gave  his  orders,  quickly,  too: 
"Along  the  gunwale  of  the  landward 

side, 

Let  all  the  shields  of  first  bench  men  be  tied  I 
And  brace  them  strong  and  firm ;  then  on 

his  spear 

Let  each  man's  helmet  just  above,  appear! 
While  down  below  the  men  their  oars  will 

ply! 
Then  those  on  shore  will  shoot  their  arrows, 

high. 
All,  save  the  oarsmen,  man  the  starboard 

side, 
To  fight  the  ship  that  bars  our  way ! "  he 

cried* 

Then  Juno  sent,  abaft,  a  welcome  gale, 
That  fiercely  blew,  and  filled  the  swelling 

sail 

But  up  the  river,  blew  the  other  way ; 
Drove  back  the  Colchian  fleet  in  dire  dismay* 

136 


The  Argo  forged  ahead  with  wind  and  tide, 
The  queen  of  all  the  seas,  and  Jason's  pride. 
Then  bearing  down  upon  the  ship,  ahead, 
Bold  Jason  turned  to  Ancaeus,  and  said : 
44  That  ship  we  'II  sink !  there  is  no  other 

way; 
She  blocks  the  channel  'twixt  the  sea  and 

bay; 
'T  is  Hobson's  choice ;  we  '11  ram  her  in  the 

side! 
And  sink  her  where  she  lays,  whatever 

betide. 

We  Ve  got  the  push !  our  stem  is  solid  oak ! 
We  '11  crush  her  like  an  egg-shell ! "  thus  he 

spoke. 
Ancaeus  bid  them  row  both  fast  and 

hard; 
And  to  the  breeze  to  brace  and  square  the 

yard. 
The  Colchian  ship  was  anchored  bow  and 

stern; 
The  Argo  from  her  straight  course  did  not 

turn; 
But  crashing,  smashing,  cut  the  ship  in 

twain; 
Sailed  o'er  tHe  wreck,  and  out  upon  the 

main. 

The  Colchian  ship  was  fairly  cut  in  two, 
And  sank  like  lead,  beneath  the  waters  blue. 
But  ere  she  sunk,  Absyrtus,  on  the  stern, 
With  angry  eyes,  Medea  did  discern. 

137 


ILE  sister!   false  one! 
traitress!"  then  he  said; 
Medea  answered  not — 
she  cut  him  dead* 
I  know  some  ancient 
poets  do  aver — 
In  justice,  though,  with 
them  I  can't  concur — 
That  Jason,  or  Medea,  maybe  both, 
Did  really  slay  Absyrtus,  nothing  loth* 
Now  when  the  Colchian  ship  did  dis- 
appear, 

The  Argo's  crew  did  loudly  shout  and  cheer. 
44  How's  that ! "  cried  Castor,  shouting  with 

his  might ; 
Cried  Pollux,  just  as  loud:  "It's  out  of 

sight!" 

Then  king  ^etes,  in  his  car,  on  shore, 
Did  tear  his  hair,  and  bitter  oaths  he  swore; 
But  all  in  vain;  the  Argo  sailed  away, 
And  soon  was  lost  to  sight,  far  down  the 

bay* 

The  best  kid  plans  of  mice  or  men,  you  see, 
On  sea  or  solid  land,  oft  gang  agley* 

The  breeze  blew  fresh  and  fair ;  they 

sailed  all  night; 

They  swiftly  sailed  until  the  morning  light 
Broke  thick  and  gray,  and  then  a  heavy  log 
Fell  like  a  pall;  they  drifted  like  a  log* 
For  now  a  calm  fell  on  the  silent  sea, 
And  three  long  days  they  drifted,  helplessly. 

138 


The  heavy  mist  the  mast-head  hid  from 

view; 
They  lost  their  course ;  they  knew  not  what 

to  do* 
At  length,  at  dawn,  a  lambient,  rosy 

light 

Shone  all  about  the  prow,  a  welcome  sight ; 
And  from  the  figure-head  was  heard  a  voice 
That  caused  their  hearts,  despondent,  to 

rejoice: 
44  Brave  heroes,  rouse  ye  from  despair 

and  doubt ! 
Your  ship  is  safe  and  sound;  your  arms 

are  stout* 

Your  journey  home  will  be  some  time  de- 
layed; 

Accept  whatever  comes — be  not  afraid* 
The  fog,  and  mist,  and  gloom,  by  Juno 

sent, 
Hath  saved  your  lives,  and  proved  her  good 

intent* 
While  shrouded  by  the  mist  and  fog,  so 

meet, 

The  angry  king  and  all  the  Colchian  fleet 
Pass'd  haply  by,  and  at  the  straits  doth 

wait, 
To  bar  your  passage  through  the  narrow 

gate* 

And  now  another  route  you  must  pursue ; 
For  rivers,  you  must  leave  the  ocean  blue; 
And  overland  awhile,  your  journey  take; 

139 


i  HEN  in  the  sea,  again,  you  11 

leave  your  wake, 
Until,  at  last,  you'll  sight 

the  shores  of  Greece, 
And  all  will  end  in  perfect 

joy  and  peace* 
But,  now,  due  north  your  present  course 

will  be, 

Instead  of  east;  be  brave  and  follow  me!" 
Then  rose  a  breeze  from  off  the  southern 

shore, 
Dispersed  the  fog;  and  doubted  they  no 

more. 

Carambis  left  aport,  and  far  astern, 
Ahead  the  steady,  radiant  light  did  burn; 
They  followed,  day  and  night,  the  rosy 

gleam, 

Until  they  entered  Ister's  mighty  stream* 
They  entered  on  the  flood  tide,  high  and 

strong, 
And  swiftly  'tween  the  banks  were  whirled 

along. 
At  length,  at  night,  they  anchored  in  the 

stream, 
And  strange,  indeed,  did  everything  now 

seem. 

No  more  was  felt  the  salt  breeze  of  the  sea ; 
No  more  was  heard  the  purl  of  waves,  a-lee. 
But  swift  and  silent  flowed  the  mighty  tide; 
While  forests  hemmed  them  in  on  either 
side. 

140 


And  farther  up  the  stream  they  rowed 

each  day, 
Until  the  salty  tide  had  lost  its  sway, 
And  fresh  and  sweet  the  river  water  ran. 
Good  fishing  now  they  found,  and  soon 

began 

To  lure  the  finny  tribe  from  Ister's  flood, 
By  hook  or  crook,  or  any  way  they  could ; 
With  bait  or  spoon,  or  artificial  fly, 
To  catch  the  biggest  fish  they  all  did  try. 
Medea  watched  the  sport  with  some  sur- 
prise; 

The  gentle  art  was  new  to  Colchian  eyes. 
With  Jason's  aid  she  soon  essayed  a  cast, 
And  hooked  a  fish  as  long  as  half  the 

mast. 
She  played  it  with  great  skill,  it  must  be 

said; 
She  played  it  'till  the  fish  seemed  nearly 

dead; 

Then  Jason  deftly  gaffed  it  with  his  spear, 
And  all  the  crew  joined  in  a  hearty  cheer. 
'Twas  ever  thus,  in  fishing  bout  or 

match, 
The  novice  sometimes  scores  the  biggest 

catch.   - 

Whatever  the  sport,  in  feather,  fur  or  fin, 
The  modest  tenderfoot  will  sometimes  win. 
We  call  it "  luck/'  whatever  that  may  mean, 
But  luck  or  "chance"  is  born  of  skill,  I 


ween. 


141! 


O  in  and  try  your  luck," 
or  "Now's  your 
chance," 

Is  often  said,  our  cour- 
age to  enhance. 
And  if  we  win,  can  it 

be  truly  said 
That  luck  or  chance, 
not  skill,  came  out  ahead? 
The  expert  angler 's  often  asked,  for- 
sooth: 
44  What  luck  ?  "  when  patient,  skillful  work, 

in  truth, 
Hath  filled  his  creel,  in  which  chance  had 

no  part ; 
'T  is  such  things  break  the  honest  angler's 

heart* 

Or  quoth  the  upstart,  finger  on  his  nose : 
44  You  caught  them  on  the  fly,  sir,  I  sup- 
pose?" 

44  Of  course,"  the  honest  angler  then  replies. 

4  The  barnyard  hackle  is  the  best  of  flies ; 

And  that  you  used,  sir,  just  as  like  as 

not"— 
He  feels  like  killing  him  upon  the  spot. 

Medea  caught  the  largest  fish  that  day, 
As  woman  sometimes  will  when  there 's  a 

way* 
She  bore   her  honors   meekly — did   not 

brag— 
The  gentle  doe  at  times  outstrips  the  stag. 

142 


Now  steadily  up  stream  the  Argo  sped ; 
Propelled  by  lusty  arms,  she  forged  ahead. 
But  swifter,  clearer,  now  the  river  flowed; 
And  harder  still  the  god-like  oarsmen 

rowed. 

At  night  was  often  heard  the  lion's  roar ; 
By  day  strange  beasts  were  seen  along  the 

shore; 
To  these  they  gave  no  heed,  nor  thought  of 

harm; 
Such  sights  and  sounds  to  them  caused  no 

alarm. 
But  now  their  hearts  were  filled  with  fear 

and  dread — 

A  mighty  cataract  was  seen  ahead. 
And  foam-flecked  water;    eddies    every- 
where, 

Caused  every  heart  to  sink  in  grim  despair. 
And  then  discouraged  by  the  fearsome 

sight, 

They  anchored  in  a  quiet,  sheltered  bight. 
Then  Jason  and  Ancaeus  went  ashore, 
With  Argus,  Lynceus,  and  several  more. 
Together  then  they  climbed  the  wooded 

9  hill, 
And  up  the  river's  bank  they  journeyed 

still, 
Until  they  reached,   at  length,  the  high 

divide, 

And  saw  a  river  on  the  other  side. 
A  welcome  sight ;  it  flowed  the  other  way ; 

143 


44 


"Twill  bear  us  to  the  sea,  again! "  they 
say* 

"ETURNING  then  the  joy- 
ous news  to  tell, 
They  found  a  wide  and  well- 
worn  road,  as  well, 
"The  task  is  not  a  hard 

one,"  Argus  said; 

On  wheels  we  '11  move  the  Argo  to  the  head 
Of  this  divide ;  and  then  when  that  is  done, 
T  will  be  dead  easy,  and  no  end  of  fun, 
To  wheel  the  Argo  down  the  other  side, 
And  in  the  other  river  safely  glide." 
"  You  're  mighty  right,"  then  Jason,  smiling, 

said, 
44 1  always  thought  you'd  wheels  in  that 

great  head/' 

And  now  for  days  a  busy  scene  ensued* 
Great  trees,  and  small,  were  felled  and  sawed 

and  hewed* 

A  timber  cradle  for  the  Argo  made, 
With  wheels  and  axles  strongly  built  and 

stayed* 

Then  in  the  water,  down  the  sloping  beach, 
They  ran  the  car,  until  the  ship  they  reach, 
And  safely  floated  her  within  the  cage; 
Then  with  the  twisted  cables  all  engage, 
And  hauled  the  Argo  out  upon  the  shore; 
Despair  and  doubt  then  troubled  them  no 
more* 


Then  up  the  hill  they  labored,  slow  but 

sure; 

No  task  so  great  but  they  could  well  endure. 
And  so  they  reached  the  top — the  water- 
shed; 

44  We  '11  rest  until  to-morrow/'  Jason  said. 
At  early  dawn  they  started  down  the  slope ; 
Each  heart  was  now  inspired  with  joy  and 

hope. 

At  length  they  safely  reached  the  river  side; 
At  length  they  launched  the  Argo  on  its  tide. 
Then  with  the  wheels  and  timbers  of  the 

wain 

The  heroes  built  an  altar,  once  again, 
To  offer  sacrifice  and  hymns  of  praise 
To  Juno,  who  had  brought  them  through 

the  maze 
Of  deep  and   dark  despair  to  this  bright 

spot — 
That  she  had  guided  them,  they  doubted 

not. 
The  hunters  hied  them  forth  with  spear 

and  bow, 

And  through  the  forest  wandered  to  and  fro; 
Brave  Areas,  Atalanta,  Idas,  too, 
And  Meleage*,  searched  the  forest  through. 
At  length,  a  lordly  stag  At'knta  spied ; 
She  drove  an  arrow  through  his  tawny 

hide; 
It  pierced  his  heart,  of  course,  she  could  not 

fail— 


145 


A  hart  he  was,  from  branching  horns  to 

tail. 

He  dropped  dead  in  his  tracks,  for  so,  also, 
His  tracks  were  always  under  him,  you 

know. 

ND  then  a  bull,  both  tall  and 

big  of  girth, 
With  lowered  horns,  began 

to  paw  the  earth; 
His  glaring  eye  the  hunters 

did  defy; 

But  Idas  shot  an  arrow  through  his  eye. 
44 1  hit  the  bullseye,  plump  and  fair,"  he  said ; 
"It  pierced  the  bovine  brain — the  bull  is 

dead; 

The  boss  of  all  the  herd,  no  doubt  was  he ; 

The  bull  of  all  the  woods  is  slain,  by  me ! " 

A  huge  boar  next  came  rushing  through 

the  wood ; 

Erect  upon  his  back  his  bristles  stood. 
His  foam-flecked  tusks  he  bared  with  piggish 

pride; 
But  Areas'  spear  went  crashing  through  his 

side. 
"  That 's  not  so  bad ! "  quoth  Areas  to  the 

rest; 

"  I  bore  his  taunt  as  long  as  I  thought  best. 
The  greatest  boar  of  earth,  as  you  '11  agree, 
With  neatness  and  dispatch  was  skin  by 
me!" 

146 


JWZ&fiw 


UST  then  an  eagle  bold  dropped 

from  the  sky, 

And  Meleager  let  an  arrow  fly, 
That  cleft  the  great  bird's  skull, 
and  down  he  fell* 

Then  Meleager's  heart  with  pride  did  swell; 
And  then  he  said:  "  Now,  how  is  that  for 

high?'' 

I  shot  him  on  the  wing — good  shot  say  I*" 
Then  Atalanta,  smiling,  sweetly  said: 
44  It  seems  to  me  you  shot  him  on  the  head ! " 

HUS    chaffing,    boasting,    in   a 

merry  vein, 
The  hunters  to  the  ship  returned 

again* 

The  bull  for  sacrifice  was  then  prepared, 
To  thank  the  gods  their  lives  had  all  been 

spared ; 

To  Juno,  faithful  guardian,  all  did  pray, 
To  shield  and  guard  them  on  their  home- 
ward way* 

The  altar  flames  leaped  high  above  the  trees, 
The  smoke  ascended  on  the  evening  breeze ; 
The  omen  was  propitious,  thank  the  gods — 
So  long  as  they  were  happy — what 's  the 

odds* 

So  down  Eridanus,  the  river,  sailed 
The  good  ship  Argo,  which  had  never  failed 
To  serve  the  heroes  well,  by  sea  or  land ; 
A  gallant  ship ;  a  noble,  gallant  band* 

147 


O  W  as  they  reached  the 
river's  mouth,  one  day, 
The  water  boiled   and 
bubbled,  strange  to  say; 
And  clouds  of  steam  rose 
hissing  on  the  air, 

^        And  altogether  seemed 

""^   a  queer  affair. 
44  This  is  the  place,"  Medea  said, 4€  where 

fell 

Young  Phaethon ;  I ' ve  heard  my  father  tell 
How  he  one  day  the  sun-car  drove;  alas ! 
That  such  a  thing  should  ever  come  to 

pass. 

The  horses  ran  away — came  near  the  earth, 
And  set  the  world  on  fire — his  life  was  worth 
Far  less  than  all  the  world ;  so  mighty  Jove, 
While  seated  on  his  throne,  in  heaven  above, 
Sent  crashing  through  the  air  a  fiery  dart 
That  fired  young  Phaethon  from  out  the 

cart, 

And  sent  him  scorching  in  the  sea  below — 
That 's  why  the  water  boils  and  bubbles  so. 
He 's  burning  still ;  of  that  there  is  no  doubt, 
For  he  can  never,  never,  be  put  out." 
Next  day  they  reached  the  river's  mouth, 

and  then, 

Behold  the  glorious,  open  sea,  again ! 
A  welcome  sight,  indeed,  to  all  the  crew, 
As  bending  to  the  breeze,  the  Argo  flew. 
The  island  of  JEthalia  reached,  at  last, 

148 


They  moored  the  Argo  safely,  firm  and 

fast* 

A  few  days  here  the  heroes  spent  in  port; 
They  passed  the  time  in  manly  games  and 

sport* 

While  Tason  and  Medea  walked  one  day, 
The  goddess  Iris  met  them  on  their  way* 
She  told  them  they  to  Circe's  isle  must  hie, 
And  she  their  blood-stained  hands  would 

purify* 

Absyrtus'  death  was  still  laid  at  their  door* 
So  they  for  Circe's  favor  must  implore* 
Next  morning  early  saw  them  on  their 

way; 

The  Argo  bounding  gayly  o'er  the  bay* 
The  highTyrsenian  cliffs  were  in  full  view* 
Their  amethystine  tints  above  the  blue* 
And  sailing  onward  through  the  starlit 

night* 

Next  day  the  isle  of  Circe  hove  in  sight* 
Anon*  they  anchored  near  the  little  isle; 
The  crew  with  music  did  the  time  beguile* 
While  Jason  and  Medea  stepped  ashore* 
With  more  of  dread  than  they  had  felt 

before* 

For  Circe  was  /Eetes'  sister*  dear; 
No  wonder  that  their  hearts  were  filled  with 

fear* 

Yet  true*  she  was  Medea's  favorite  aunt; 
They  hoped  that  she  their  prayers  would 

freely  grant* 


149 


Who,  by  a  touch,  turned 

all  men  into  swine* 
Medea,  knowing    this, 

had  come  prepared; 
A    knowledge    of    the 
magic  art  she  shared 
With  Circe,  who  had  taught  her  years  ago, 
The  art  divine,  arid  things  she  ought  to 

know* 
In  Jason's  tunic   then    she   placed   with 

care, 
Some  withered  leaves,  and  safely  pinned 

them  there* 
"The  Pontic  Moly,  sure  and  sacred 

charm; 

Whoever  wears  it  ne'er  will  come  to  harm; 
A  foil  to  sorcery  and  magic  art/' 
She  said,  "Now  keep  it  safely  o'er  your 

heart* 

So  long  as  you  possess  the  sacred  twig, 
By  Circe,  you  can  not  be  made  a  pig/' 
And  as  they  walked  they  saw  great 

droves  of  swine 
That  once  were  men;  and  oft  did  they 

repine 
In  grunts  and  squeals  their  low  and  abject 

state; 

And  some,  no  doubt,  deserved  a  better  fate* 
Then  as  they  neared  the  center  of  the  isle, 

150 


^  LITTLE, 
ls"    ^    -FISHES 


The  sorc'ress  met  them  with  a  pleasant 

smile; 

She  bade  them  welcome  to  her  palace  hall, 
Where  Jason  and  Medea  told  her  all: 
About  the  Golden  Fleece,  and  Jason's  quest ; 
About  the  brazen  bulls,  and  all  the  rest; 
How  king  JEetes  did  repudiate 
His  royal  word  and  promise,  made  in  state; 
Then,  how  the  Golden  Fleece  they  took  at 

night; 

And  then  appealed  to  Circe's  sense  of  right* 
"But  how  about  Absyrtus'  death?'' 

asked  she, 
"For  this  you've  come  to  be  absolved  by 

me/' 

"  My  dear  aunt  Circe/'  then  Medea  said, 
44  We  do  not  know  if  he  is  already  dead. 
A  ship  was  in  our  way  as  we  passed  out; 
We  rammed  and  sunk  this  ship  without  a 

doubt; 

My  brother  stood  upon  her  quarter-deck, 
And  called  me  names,  from  his  part  of  the 

wreck* 
Now,  whether  he  was  drowned,  or  swam 

ashore, 

We  do  not  fcnoV,  and  cannot  tell  you  more/' 
Now  Circe  thought  it  best,  at  all  events, 
To  purify  them  both,  in  every  sense, 
Of  any  guilt  that  might  attach  to  them ; 
'T would  do  no  harm;  'twould  clear  their 

skirts;  ahem! 


// 


Within    her  secret    chamber 

drew, 

And  there  she  purified  the  happy  two. 
This  course  was  necessary  to  appease 
The  wrath  of  Jove,  incensed  by  ./Eetes. 

HEN   Circe    showed   them 
around  th'  enchanted  place ; 
The  beastly  swine,  once  of 

the  human  race, 
That  by  their  squeals  and 

grunts  did  her  implore, 
To  change  them  back  to  human  form,  once 

more. 
Then  Circe  said :  "  Observe  those  two  black 

swine 
That  hang  their  heads;  unceasingly  they 

whine. 

The  one  a  fish-hog  is,  and  when  a  man 
He  fished  for  count,  and  always  filled  his 

can 

With  big  and  little,  fingerlings,  as  well; 
Then,  boasting  of  his  catch,  great  lies  did 

telL 
The  other  one's  a  game-hog,  nasty 

brute, 
Who,  all  day  long,  did  nothing  else  but 

shoot; 
With  bow  and  spear  he  roamed  the  forests 

wide, 
And  potted  every  living  thing  he  spied* 

152 


lawless,  so-call 
answer  at  the  court, 
vith  drooping 


To  occupy  two  seats,  while  ladies  stood; 
I've  turned  him  to  a  pig  for  others'  good* 
That  scrawny  hog,  that 's  biting  at  his  back, 
Who,  as  a  man  cud  never  false  tales  lack, 
Did  scandalize  his  friends  and  neighbors ;  so, 
I  changed  him  to  a  pig  some  months  ago. 
That  flabby  one,  that  wallows  in  the 

mire, 

A  boodle  politician,  thief  and  liar, 
And  so  the  herd  have  all,  for  some  good 

cause, 

Been  changed  from  men  to  hogs  by  Na- 
ture's laws. 
The  change  was  slight,  for  they  were  hogs 

before;  - 
On  two  legs  walked,  where  now  they  walk 

on  four ; 
The  difference  then,  I  think  you '  11  surely 

find, 
Is  only  in  degree,  and  not  in  kind/' 


153 


dear  aunt 
Medea  saic , 
44  "Be  sure  and  come  to  see 

us  when  we're  wed* 
And    now  we    must    be 

going*  Jason  dear." 
"  I  '11  come  to  see  you,  children*  never  fear," 
Responded  Circe* "  and  I  '11  come  right  soon ; 
I  hope  you  '11  have  a  happy  honey-moon*" 
Then  Jason  and  Medea  made  their  way 
Across  the  isle  to  where  the  Argo  lay. 
They  sailed  at  once*  by  Jason's  strict  com- 
mand. 
At  dawn  they  reached  the  fair  Tyrsenian 

strand; 

And  there  they  beached  the  Argo  for  a  day. 
In  troublous  doubt  as  to  their  future  way* 

Now  Peleus  was  strolling  on  the  beach* 
Communing  with  himself  in  silent  speech; 
When    Thetis,  lovely  sea-nymph*   came 

ashore — 

His  wife,  who  'd  left  him  many  years  be- 
fore— 
He  clasped  her  to  his  breast  with  tears  of 

py* 

And  cried :  "  O,  Thetis,  how 's  our  darling 

boy!" 

"Achilles  is  all  right,"  his  wife  replied, 
"He's  with  old  Chiron  on  the  mountain 

side* 
Another  matter 's  brought  me  here  to  you : 


154 


*"3H5M 


I  'm  sent  by  Juno,  to  befriend  your  crew* 
Great  dangers  still   await  you  on  your 

course; 

Pay  strict  attention  then  to  my  discourse. 
The  Wandering  Rocks,  and  Sirens,  menace 

you, 
And  fearful  Scylla  and  Charybdis,  too* 

Now  Iris,  by  command  of  Juno,  fair, 
To  old  -^Eolus,  will  at  once  repair, 
And  bid  him  quiet  all  the  winds  that  blow, 
Except  a  steady  west  wind,  even  so* 
And,  then  old  Vulcan  she  will  next  entreat 
To  close  his  forge,  and  thus  dispel  the  heat, 
Disperse  the  clouds  of  smoke  from  off  the 

sea, 

So  that  the  Argo,  sailing  fast  and  free, 
May  with  less  danger  thus  pursue  her  way, 
If  Vulcan  and  -^Eolus  both  obey* 

Now  when  the  Sirens'  island  you  draw 

near, 
Bid  Orpheus  play  and  sing  both  loud  and 

clear, 

To  drown  the  voices  of  the  Sirens  fair. 
So  sweet,  enchanting,  are  their  voices,  rare, 
Seductive,  too,  no  man  would  count  the 

cost, 

But,  landing  there,  forever  would  be  lost* 
My  nymphs  will  guide  you  through  the 

Wandering  Rocks, 
And  guard  you  from  their  awful  clashing 

shocks. 

155 


Scylla  and  Charybdis 
yet  remain. 
Such  terrors  you  will  never 

meet  again; 
For  Scylla  hath  six  mouths 

well-armed  with  teeth, 
And  woe  to  him  that  passeth  underneath* 
And   on   a    cliff    she    dwells,   within    a 

cave, 
Round  which  the  angry  waters  rush  and 

rave* 

And  opposite,  a  rock  between  the  tides, 
Is  where  the  dread  Charybdis  ever  hides* 
Her  mouth 's  a  fearful  whirlpool,  wide  and 

deep, 
Through  which  the  circling  waters  surge 

and  leap; 
But,  I  will   hold   the   Argo's   rudder 

straight, 
And  guide  her  safely  through  the  narrow 

gate* 
And  thus  your  greatest   dangers  will  be 

passed, 
And  you  will  reach  the  shores  of  Greece, 

at  last* 

It  happens  that  the  luckiest  thing  in  life, 
For  you,  is  that  a  water-nymph's  your 

wife* 
And  now,  good-bye — but  one  thing  do  not 

do, 
Don't  point  me  out  to  any  of  the  crew. 

150 


EMEMBER  me  to  Chiron,  when 

you  meet ; 
He  must  be  careful  of  Achilles' 

feet; 

He's  proof  against  all  ills,  except  one  heel, 
And  much  solicitude  for  that  I  f eel. 
Instead  of  sandals,  make  for  him  strong 

shoes, 

Which,  for  his  mother's  sake  he  '11  not  re- 
fuse. 

Now  Peleus,  again  I'll  say  good-bye; 
The  fact  is,  I  am  feeling  kind  o'  dry ; 
My  fins  are  curling  up,  as  you  can  see,' 
And  then  headlong  she  plunged  into  the  sea. 

Now,  Peleus  related  all  he'd  heard 
To  Jason  and  the  crew,  and  they  averred 
'T  were  best  to  try  to  carry  out  the  plan 
Devised  by  Juno;  and  at  once  began 
To  tauten  stays  and  braces  for  the  trip; 
Put  everything  in  order  on  the  ship. 

Next  day  the  west  wind  blowing  fresh 

and  free, 

The  Argo  once  again  put  out  to  sea. 
Her  pennon  floated  proudly  from  the  mast; 
The  sea  was  smooth,  the  Argo  sailing  fast ; 
And  sailing  fast  and  free  by  day  and  night, 
At  length  a  little  island  hove  in  sight, 
And  then  a  cliff,  and  beach  ot   yellow 

sand, 

Then  cool  and  shady  groves  upon  the 
land. 


157 


HE  breath  of  orange  blos- 
soms filled  the  air; 
Delicious  fragrance  floated 

everywhere; 
Enchanting  music  sweetly 

rose  and  fell, 
Responsive  to  the  rhythmic  ocean  swell ; 
And  softly  stealing  o'er  the  fragrant  sea, 
In  cadence  soft,  the  strangest  melody 
Came  tripping,  rippling,  o'er  the   ocean 

tide— 
The    Sirens'    song — the    sailor's   willing 

bride* 
Their  lovely  forms  displayed  beneath  the 

trees; 
Their  love  songs  borne  upon  the  summer 

breeze : 
"O,  sailors  bold,  come  rest  ye  here 

awhile ; 

In  love's  sweet  dalliance  your  hours  be- 
guile; 
Our  arms  are  soft  and  white;  our  kisses 

sweet; 

O,  sailors,  come  and  rest  in  love's  retreat." 
Then  toward  the  land  Ancaeus  steered 

the  ship. 

Medea  then  to  Jason's  side  did  slip: 
"O,  Jason,  take  the  helm  at  any  cost; 
Steer  out  to  sea,  or  we  are  surely  lost*" 
And  Atalanta  cried  to  Orpheus : 
44  Strike  up  your  lyre  and  loudly  sing  to  us ; 


158 


^M*s 


And  sing  of  Greece,  and  wives  and  sweet- 
hearts, there ; 
And  let  your  voice  and  lyre  fill  all  the 

air; 
Crowd  out  and  drown  those  songs  of  vile 

deceit; 

For  death,  not  love,  lurks  in  their  dread  re- 
treat/' 
Then  Jason  boldly  took  the  helm  and 

steered, 

And  toward  the  open  sea  the  Argo  veered* 
The  song  of  Orpheus,  so  loud  and  clear, 
Did  banish  other  sounds  from  mind  and  ear. 
The  crew  was  saved,  at  least  all  saved  but 

one, 

For  ere  the  song  of  Orpheus  was  begun, 
Poor  Butes,  overcome  by  Siren's  lay, 
Leaped  overboard,  and  quickly  swam  away. 
But  Venus,  ere  he  reached  the  island  shore, 
Descended  on  a  cloud,  and  Butes  bore 
To  far  off  Lilybeum,  there  to  dwell, 
A  booty  for  this  beauty,  IVe  heard  tell* 

Anon,  the  Argo,  sailing  toward  the  east, 
Another  danger  met,  and  not  the  least. 
The  Wand'rin?  Rocks,  of  which  they'd 

heard  with  dread, 

The  heroes  saw  next  day,  and  just  ahead. 
Fierce  fkmes  were  belching  from  a  cave 

on  shore, 

Though   Vulcan's   forge  was   out,   and 
smoked  no  more; 

159 


ND*  resting  on  the  hammer 

in  his  hand, 
The  god  of  fire  upon  a 

rock  did  stand* 
He  did  no  work  that  day, 

it  did  not  suit 
To  have  the  air  so  black  with  smoke  and 

soot* 

He  gazed  in  wonder  as  the  Argo  sailed, 
And  then  the  crew  old  Vulcan    loudly 

hailed : 

44 A  bully  boat ;  a  bully  crew,  as  well ! " 
The  heroes  gave  the  Chiron  college  yell* 

Then  sailing  on  they  had  enough  to  do, 
With  oars  and  sail,  to  guide  the  Argo 

through 
The  WancPring  Rocks,  that  loomed  on 

every  side, 

And  rolled  and  tumbled  in  the  angry  tide* 
But  now  a  wondrous  sight  the  crew  beheld, 
Which  all  their  dread  and  fear  at  once  dis- 
pelled: 

For,  swimming  swiftly  at  the  Argo's  side, 
And  perched  on  every  rolling  rock,  beside, 
Were  countless  sea-nymphs,  fairest  of  the 

fair; 
With  liquid  eyes,  and  wondrous  golden 

hair* 
Their  sickle  fins  glanced  brightly  in  the 

sun, 
Gay  fin-de-siecle  girls,  who  thought  it  fun 


16O 


And  safely  steered  the  Argo  on  her  course ; 
The  west  wind  blowing  now  with  increased 


And  Juno,  resting  on  a  cloud,  above, 
Looked  down  upon  the  scene  with  eyes  of 

love* 
Now,  safely  through  the  Wandering 

Rocks,  at  last, 

The  Argo,  aided  by  the  sea-nymphs,  passed* 
Then  from  the  rocks,  where  they'd  been 

perched  in  glee, 
The   Nereids    plunged    headlong   in  the 

sea* 

Then  Galatea  marshaled  them  each  side 
The  Argo,  where  their  arms  and  fins  they 

plied, 
And  kept  her  in  the  channel,  straight  and 

true; 
While  Thetis  at  the  rudder  steered  her 

through 
The  deep  and  narrow  strait,  whose  treach- 

'rous  tide, 
Did  Scylla  from  Charybdis  e'er  divide* 

101 


before  the 
Argo,  sailing  free* 
Loud  cheers  from  Jason 
and  the  crew  rang 
out; 

The  water-nymphs,  like 
dolphins,  swam  about* 
The  heroes  manned  the  gunwales;  kisses 

threw 
To  Thetis  and  her  nymphs,  as  fair  as 

true; 
The  Nereids  then  flapped  their  fins  with 

glee, 
Then  disappeared  beneath  the  deep  blue 

sea* 
Now,  sailing  past  Trinacrian  isle,  next 

day, 
The  sound  of  bleating  sheep  came  o'er  the 

bay; 

Anon,  the  low  of  kine  came  from  the  shore; 
Then  toward  the  land  they  bent  the  lab'- 

ring  oar* 

But  Lynceus,  far-sighted,  bid  them  hold : 
44 1  see,"  said  he,  "two  maids  with  crooks 

of  gold, 
Who  herd  the  sheep  and  cattle,  white  as 

snow, 

With  horns  of  gold,  as  through  green  fields 
they  go/' 

162 


LITTLE 
^ -FISHES 


Medea  then  seemed  quite  alarmed,  and  said : 
44  O9  heroes  do  not  land;  sail  on  instead* 
From  what  I  Ve  heard  my  father  of ttimes 

say, 

These  are  Phaethusa  and  Lampetie, 
The  daughters  of  the  sun,  who  tend  their 

herds 
On  this  fair  isle,"    They  wondered  at  her 

words, 

But  turned  the  ship  again  and  sailed  away, 

And  Corcyra  they  reached  the  following  day. 

'T  was  here  the  kind  Phaeacians  dwelt 

in  peace; 
Good  friends  to  all  who  hailed  from  sunny 

Greece, 

The  king,  Alcinous,  a  welcome  true 
Gave  Jason  and  the  heroes,  whom  he  knew 
By  good  report  to  be  most  famous  men; 
Ana  they  were  glad  to  rest  ashore  again. 
The  queen,  Arete,  also  entertained 
Medea  and  Atlanta ;  and  was  pained 
To  hear  the  story  of  Medea's  flight; 
But  told  her  what  she'd  done  was  just  and 

right, 
In  games  of  skill  the  heroes  spent  the 

days;" 
The  king  and  court  were  loud  in  words  of 

praise. 
The  people  from  the  country  flocked  to 

town 
To  see  these  Grecian  heroes  of  renown, 

163 


And  priceless  gifts  and  treasures  were  be- 
stowed ; 

And  freely,  milk  and  wine  and  honey, 
flowed* 

|UT  Io*  one  day  appeared  the 

Colchian  fleet ! 
The  leader  came  ashore  the 

king  to  greet* 
The  rocks  Cyanean  they  *d 

safely  passed, 
And  through  the  mouth  of  Pontus  came  at 

last* 

44  The  orders  of  -££tes  are/'  he  said* 
44  To  find  his  daughter*  who  has  basely  fled ; 
To  take  her  back  to  Colchis*  there  to  meet 
The  penalty  of  death*  for  her  deceit* 
So*  if  Medea  and  the  Golden  Fleece 
Are  given  up*  a  treaty  then*  of  peace* 
Will   be   prepared*  which    he   will   then 

submit; 

A  peace  commission  formed  to  sit  on  it 
The  treaty  will  provide — a  usual  thing — 
Indemnity  from  Jason  to  the  king* 

One  item  is  to  pay  the  cost  of  hire 
Of  two  brass  bulls*  with  use  of  fire; 
Also*  the  hire  of  plow  and  double  yoke; 
And  rent  of  ground*  he  with  the  oxen 

broke; 
Also  the  seed  with  which  the  ground  was 


sown* 


164. 


Both  rare  and  priceless,  even  he  will  own. 
And  then  the  crop,  though  reaped  with  toil 

and  care, 

Was  left  to  spoil  and  rot — at  least  the  share 
Of  king  -/Eetes,  which  he  values  high. 
Then  there 's  the  damage  to  his  dragon's 

eye; 
A  broken  limb,  whereon  the  Fleece  once 

hung, 
The  choicest  tree  in  all  the  grove,  and 

young. 

The  wharfage  for  the  Argo  must  be  paid, 
And  recompense  for  water  rights  be  made. 
Then  there's  the  sunken  ship,  though  once 

condemned, 

Her  price  went  up  as  she  went  down,  con- 
temned. 
Then  last  of  all,  there  comes  the  wear  and 

tear 

Of  king  Petes'  bed  and  royal  chair, 
Whereon   he   rolled    and   squirmed,  and 

pitched  and  tossed, 
Since  that  dark  night  the  Golden  Fleece 

was  lost. 
Now  this  the  bill  of  costs  the  king  hath 

made,  , 

And  this  the  bill  of  costs  that  must  be  paid. 
The  treaty  will  not  name  the  just  amount 
That  Jason  to  the  king  must  e'en  account. 
To  his  commissioners  the  king  will  trust 
To  do  his  will — in  other  words,  they  must. 

165 


UCH  latitude,  however,  he  'II 

allow — 

Not  less  than  half  the  lati- 
tude, I  trow, 
Of  Jason's  kingdom,  when 

he  takes  the  throne, 
'T  will  take  to  pay  the  debt,  I  freely  own. 
This  is  the  ultimatum  of  the  king; 
At  least  the  substance — I  was  told  to  bring. 
And  if  the  terms  are  not  to  Jason's  mind, 
And  to  refuse  he  seems  at  all  inclined, 
Then  I  am  well  prepared,  and  will  enforce 
The  just  demands  of  -ffietes,  of  course. 
My  battle  ships  are  anchored  in  the  bay; 
The  Argo's  bottled  up — can't  get  away." 
Then  king  Alcinous  looked  vexed  and 

frowned, 
"  You  know,"  said  he,  "that  this  is  neutral 

ground ; 

One  day  in  port  you  are  compelled  to  stay, 
Should  Jason  wish  to  leave  and  sail  away* 
He  is  my  guest  and  ally,  for  the  nonce; 
Your  ultimatum  I'll  report,  at  once; 
And  ultimately  I  will  arbitrate 
Between  you  both,  and  my  decision  state, 
Which  will  be  final,  and  you  must  comply; 
Not  yours  to  kick,  nor  ask  the  reason  why. 
Now  order  what  you  please  to  eat  or  drink;  ( 
I  must  have  time  to  cogitate  and  think. 
And  now  my  army  I  must  mobilize, 
A  numerous  mob,  at  present,  I  surmise. 

166 


LITTLE 
^     -FISHES 


I  have  more  soldiers  than  I  really  need, 

I  wish  that  half  were  killed  or  dead,  indeed. 

Large  standing  armies  are  a  great  expense, 

And  I  have  several  millions  for  defense." 

Alcinous  then  took  a  formal  leave, 

A  large  smile  lurking  in  his  royal  sleeve. 

The  captain  of  the  fleet  was  sore  dismayed; 

In  other  words  he  felt  somewhat  afraia. 
Now  Jason,  when  he  heard  the  terms 
proposed, 

Waxed  very  wroth,  and  even  seemed  dis- 
posed 

To  fight  the  fleet  with  his  one  ship,  alone ; 

To  this  the  heroes,  one  and  all,  were  prone. 

Alcinous,  however,  urged  delay; 

Said  he  would  arbitrate  the  following  day; 

Reluctantly  the  heroes  did  consent. 
Medea  to  the  queen,  Arete,  went; 

With  tearful  eyes  did  importune  her  aid. 

44 Have  pity,  queen,  O  pity  me,  poor  maid; 

O  do  not  let  them  send  me  back,"  she 
cried; 

44  O  do  not  take  me  from  my  Jason's  side. 

He's  all  I  have;  and  I'm  to  be  his  wife. 

If  taken  back,  I'll  surely  loose  my  life." 

The  queen,  much  moved,  said  she  would 
intercede 

With  king  Alcinous,  and  try,  indeed, 

To  form  some  plan  whereby  to  circumvent 

Her  Colchian  foes,  who  for  her  death  were 
bent 


167 


HE  queen  then  hastened  to 

her  lord,  the  king, 
And  said:  "My  dear,  do  n't 

let  them  do  this  thing; 
Do  n't  let  them  take  this  poor 

maid  back  to  die* 
We  rather  should  commend  her,  you  and  I, 
For  what  she's  done  for  noble  Jason's 

sake; 
Now,  hubby,  this  poor  maid,  don't  let  them 

take* 
Suppose  that  I  should  thus  be  forced  from 

you — 
Now  what  would  then  be  right  for  you  to 

do/' 
The  king  then  thought  it  over  in  his 

mind: 
44  My  dear,"  said  he,  "  her  case  is  not  that 

kind 

If  she  were  Jason's  wife,  'tis  very  clear, 
I  should  insist  on  her  remaining  here. 
For  long  /Eetes  then  would  have  no  claim, 
Though  she  would  be  his  daughter  all  the 

same. 

But  she  would  owe  allegiance  to  her  lord ; 
To  him  who  furnished  clothes  and  bed  and 

board." 
"O,  thank  you,"  said  the  queen, 44 you've 

made  it  clear; 

Now,  kiss  me,  sweet ;  you  're  such  a  duck, 
my  dear!" 

168 


LITTLE 
**   -FISHES 


Now  queen  Aretes'  plan  was  quickly 

formed; 

Medea,  also  Jason,  she  informed: 
"Your  wedding  must  take  place  without 

delay; 
The  king,  himself,  will   give  the  bride 

away — 
He's  good  at  giving  things  away/'  she 

^  said, 
9  T  was  he  that  put  this  nice  plan  in  my 

head 

Medea,  you  will  wear  my  wedding  dress, 
No  time  to  make  a  trousseau,  now,  I  guess* 
At'lanta  will  be  bridesmaid,  none  so  fair; 
And  I,  myself,  will  dress  your  golden  hair* 
Now,  I  must  go  and  see  about  the  cake; 
And  all  the  other  preparations  make. 
The  wedding  will  take  place  this  afternoon, 
And  after  that  begins  the  honey-moon. 
Let  Orpheus  compose  the  wedding  hymn; 
Have  everything  in  order,  nice  and  trim. 
Now,  in  the  holy  cave  down  by  the 

sea, 

Where  Macris  once  did  dwell  with  honey- 
bee, 

The  maidens  of  the  queen  did  there  prepare 
The  bridal  chamber  for  the  happy  pair. 
The  walls  made  gay  with  silken  curtains 

hung, 
Festoons  of  orange  blossoms  o'er  them 

strung; 


With  bridal  wreaths  that  rarest  flowers 

flecked, 

The  honey-scented  grotto  was  bedecked* 
The  bridal  couch  of  sandal  wood  was 

made, 

And  on  it  softest  skins  and  pelts  were  kid, 
With  robes  of  precious  silks,  and  white 

swan's  down, 
And  fine,  fair  linen  then  the  whole  did 

crown* 

The  Golden  Fleece  was  then  laid  over  all, 
And  through  the  holy,  sacred,  rocky  hall 
It  shed  a  radiance  sweet,  divinely  fair, 
Its  steady,  golden  sheen  beyond  compare. 
And  strains  of  music*  soft  and  low  and 

sweet, 
And  fragrant  incense  filled  the  rare  retreat* 

The  heroes  built  an  altar  by  the  sea; 
The  Argo  gently  rose  and  fell,  a-lee* 
They  slaughtered  lambs,  and  mixed  the 

barley  meal, 

And  to  the  blessed  gods  they  made  appeal 
For  health  and  joy,  and  happiness  through 

life, 

For  Jason  and  his  lovely  Colchian  wife* 
The  altar  fire,  high  leaping  through  the  air, 
Threw  out  upon  the  sea  its  ruddy  glare; 
Shone  on  the  sea-nymphs,  floating  on  the 

waves, 
And  bringing  gifts  of  amber  from  their 


caves, 


17O 


W  LITTLE 


And  gems  and  corals  rare,  they  also  bore, 
And  jewels  bright,  from  every  sea-girt  shore. 
The  woodland  nymphs  brought  blossoms, 

pure  and  white ; 
Their  golden  hair,  and  bosoms,  were  be- 

dight 
With  gorgeous  flowers  of  every  hue  and 

By  Juno  sent,  from  mountain,  glen  and 

glade. 
Now,  as  the  deepening  twilight  closed 

around, 
The  wheels  of  chariots  rumbled  o'er  the 

ground; 

And  in  procession  moved  the  happy  throng, 
To  share  the  marriage  feast,  in  wine  and 

sone* 

The  royal  chariot,  with  the  king  and  queen, 
Both  dressed  in  royal  robes  of  brighest 

sheen; 

Then  Jason  and  Medea,  happy  pair, 
Arrayed  in  wedding  garments  rich  and 

rare; 

At'lanta,  bridesmaid,  radiant  as  a  star, 
And  Meleager,  groomsman,  in  their  car. 
Then  followed  maids  of  honor,  sweetly 

dressed; 
The  courtiers  of  the  king,  clothed  in  their 

best; 
With  priests  and  satellites,  and  warriors 

grim— 

171 


Then  Orpheus    struck   up  the  wedding 
hymn* 


the 


ever 


ND  there,  beside 

restless  sea, 

On  which  he'd  sailed  with 
baffling  winds,  and  free; 
Through  nights  of  gloom, 
and  sunny  days  of  ease ; 
With  furious  gales,  and  gentle  summer 

breeze; 

Beside  the  sea,  the  Argo  in  full  sight — 
Behold  brave  Jason  on  his  wedding  night ! 
And  standing  proudly  by  his  manly  side- 
Behold  Medea, Jason's  Colchian  bride! 
The  fairest  maid  in  all  the  world,  was  she; 
The  bravest  man  in  all  the  world,  was  he* 
For  then,  as  now,  both  here  and  every- 
where, 
'T  is  true — none  but  the  brave  deserve  the 

fair. 

And  then,  the  altar  fire  gleaming  bright, 
The  priests  performed  the  sacred  marriage 

rite. 
The  king,  quite  proudly,  gave  the  bride 

away; 
The  bride  and  groom  both  promised  to 

obey, 

And  honor,  love  and  cherish;  or  at  least, 
'Twas  understood  so,  by  the  king  and 
priest 


172 


Then  Orpheus  and  all  the  Argo's  crew, 
And  all  the  wedding  guests,  and  people,  too, 
And  all  the  nymphs,  from  woodland  and 

the  sea, 

The  marriage  hymn  sang;  loud  and  joyfully. 
Of  all  the  folk  assembled  at  this  scene, 
No  one  was  truly  happier  than  the  queen. 
The  wedding  breakfast,  she  would  give 

next  day — 

So  king  and  queen  and  people  went  away. 
The  heroes  afl  kept  guard  throughout  the 

night, 
With  song  and  cup  and  speech,  till  broad 

daylight 
Next  day  the  wedding  breakfast  was 

prepared, 
And  all  the  guests,  both  great  and  small, 

repaired 
To  greet  the  bride  and  groom,  in  banquet 

hall, 
Where  they  were  warmly  welcomed,  one 

and  all, 

By  king  Alcinous  and  his  loved  queen; 
And  bright  and  gay  and  joyous  was  the 

scene. 
Around  the  tables,  spread  with  sumptuous 

fare, 
Were  seated  all  the  guests;  and  with  them 

there, 

The  Captain  of  the  Colchian  fleet,  as  well, 
Who  was,  in  truth,  a  jolly  naval  swell* 


173 


V 


By  special  invitation  he  was  there, 
see  the  king  concerning  his  affair. 

OW  Jason  and  Medea  sat 

serene, 
One  by  the  king,  the  other 

by  the  queen* 
Medea  looked  so  pretty,  and 

so  sweet, 

She  charmed  the  jolly  Captain  of  the  fleet. 
"The  daughter  of  the  king,  she  is,  no 

doubt," 
He  thought,  and  swelled  his  manly  bosom 

out. 

He  did  not  know  that  she  was  lately  wed* 
The  silly  Captain  thought  the  royal  spread 
Was  in  his  honor,  and  would  soon  be  told, 
To  take  Medea  and  the  Fleece  of  Gold* 
"I  will  not  sail  for  Colchis,  though,"  he 

said, 

Until  this  lovely  damsel  I  have  wed." 
The  king  then  rose  before  his  royal 

chair, 

And  said  to  all  the  guests  assembled  there: 
44  The  time  has  now  arrived  when  I  should 

state, 

That  I  a  matter  was  to  arbitrate, 
Between  -flSetes,  king  of  Colchis  land, 
And  Jason,  sitting  here,  at  my  right  hand. 
Now  Jason,  with  the  necessary  pull, 
Became  entitled  to  a  fleece  of  wool ; 


44 


174 


UTfj&ES 


Possession  of  the  fleece  was  then  withheld, 
Till  Jason,  by  a  ruse,  was  then  compelled 
To  take  the  fleece  which  rightly  was  his 

own; 
And  then  he  sailed  away — but  not  alone* 

^Betes  had  a  daughter — and  has  yet — 
Who  fell  in  love  with  Jason  first  they 

met. 

She  aided  Jason  to  obtain  his  pelt, 
And  then  such  fear  of  king  JEetes  felt, 
That  she  resolved  from  home  to  run  away, 
And  sailed  with  Jason,  as  his  fiancee. 
It  happens  that  a  week  or  so  ago, 
Came  Jason  and  his  ship,  as  you  all  know. 
And  then  again  it  happens,  strange  to 

say, 

The  Colchian  fleet  sailed  in  on  yesterday. 
The  Captain  of  the  fleet,  in  duty  bound- 
Medea  and  the  fleece  both  being  found — 
Demands  them,  with  indemnity,  in  full; 
A  great  cry  makes  about  a  little  wool. 
And  this  the  case  I  was  to  arbitrate; 
And   this   the  crooked    thing    to  render 

straight. 

Now,  yesterday,  the  case  I  did  review ; 
Called  for  my  law  books;  searched  them 

through  and  through; 
Compared  the  legal  aspects  of  the  case, 
With  wise  decisions  made  in  everyplace; 
With  precedents  established  by  each  court, 
In  all  such  cases  of  retrieve  and  tort. 


175 


O  W,  my  decision,  yesterday, 

was  this; 
Or  would  have  been,  but 

things  have  gone  amiss — 
That  Jason  should  retain  the 

fleece  of  wool; 
In  him  the  title's  vested,  clear  and  full. 
And  finding  nothing  legal  to  prevent, 
Medea  to  her  father  should  be  sent* 
Indemnity  from  Jason  to  the  king, 
I  hold  to  be  a  most  improper  thing* 
The  damages  alleged,  were  all  incurred 
By  Jason  in  his  contract — so  averred. 
A  contract  made  by  -^Eetes  the  king — 
So  Jason  does  not  owe  him  anything. 

Now  this  decision,  made  but  yesterday, 
Is  hardly  worth  a  sou-markee  to-day. 
There's  many  a  slip  'twixt  cup  and  lip, 

'tis  true; 

And  circumstances  alter  cases,  too. 
Now,  yesterday,  't  was  plain,  and  in  accord 
With  all  the  law :  Medea  was  my  ward. 
I,  as  her  legal  guardian,  did  prepare 
Her  extradition  papers,  with  much  care; 
Whereas,  to-day,  I  have  no  legal  right, 
In  equity,  a  wife  to  extradite. 
In  common  law,  or  chancery,  as  well, 
A  wife  must  with  her  husband  ever  dwell. 
This  knotty  problem  has  at  last  been  solved, 
And  from  an  irksome  duty  I'm  absolved; 
For  Jason  cut  the  Gordian  knot  last  night 


176 


-FISHES 


By  wedding  fair  Medea,  fast  and  tight. 

To  quiet  any  doubt,  I  need  but  say, 

* T  was  I,  myself,  who  gave  the  bride  away* 

Medea  now  is  in  another  state — 
The  state  of  wedlock — with  her  happy 

mate; 

My  jurisdiction's  kpsed;  'tis  just  as  well; 
And  in  that  happy  state  may  they  long 

dwell. 
Now,  just  another  word,  to  make  things 

clear: 

The  Captain  of  the  Colchian  fleet  is  here* 
A  man  of  honor,  and  a  sailor  bold, 
He  will  not  take  amiss  what  he 's  been  told ; 
A  miss  she  is  no  longer ;  sure 's  he 's  born ; 
He  came  for  wool  and  goes  back  badly 

shorn. 

Now  pledge  we  all  a  brimming  cup  of  wine 
To  Jason  and  his  happy  bride,  divine. 
Now  let  all  care  and  animosity 
Be  drowned  in  wine,  without  verbosity." 
The  Captain  of  the  fleet  then  took  the 

floor, 

And  in  his  hand  a  cup  of  wine  he  bore : 
"O  king,  I  wish  to  drink  the  fair  bride's 

health; 

I  wish  her  joy,  and  happiness,  and  wealth. 
The  lady  I  have  never  seen  before, 
And  seeing  her  is  simply  to  adore. 
Her  modesty  and  beauty,  rare  to  see, 
Would  surely  banish  evil  far  from  me. 


177 


ITU  her  I  ne'er  would  sail  to 

Colchis  land, 

Where   shame   and   death 
await  her  from  the  hand 
Of  king  -ffietes,  lost  to  every 

sense 
Of  manhood,  truth  and  justice;   so  from 

hence 

I  will  not  sail  to-day,  nor  yet  next  year; 
For  King  Petes'  wrath  I  greatly  fear* 
And  now  King  Alcinous,  I  will  swear 
Allegiance  to  your  crown,  if  you'll  prepare 
A  deed  of  gift  to  some  fair  tract  of  land, 
Which  I  will  colonize  with  my  command/' 
And  so  it  came  to  pass,  they  settled  there, 
And  lived  forever  after,  free  from  care* 
The  good  ship  Argo,  Jason  and  his 

brioe, 

The  heroes  all,  once  more  upon  the  tide 
Sailed  gaily  forth ;  for  now  it  seemed  to  be 
A  short  and  pleasant  sail  to  Thessaly. 
Before  they  sailed,  Alcinous,  the  King, 
Rich  stranger's  gifts  to  all  the  crew  did 

bring, 
With  twelve  Phaeacian  slave  girls,  dressed 

in  green, 

Attendants  for  Medea,  from  the  queen. 
And  now,  the  huge  sail  hoisted  flat  and 

trim, 

The  Argo,  like  a  sea-bird,  swift  did  skim 
O'er  waters  blue,  that  rippled  in  the  sun ; 

178 


The  heroes  glad  their  voyage  seemed  most 

done* 

By  Epirus  they  coasted,  sailing  free. 
Ambracia,  Arcarnania,  passed  a-lee. 
A  few  days  later  Lynceus  did  spy 
The  land  of  Pelops,  dimly,  'neath  the  sky. 
Then  all   the  heroes  shouted,  cheer  on 

cheer, 
To  think  their  longed-for  native  land  was 

near. 
But  soon  a  calm  fell  on  the  waters 

bright; 
The  sun,  a  crimson  ball,  sunk  out  of 

sight. 
The  sail  was  furled  and  lashed  upon  the 

yard; 

The  heroes  at  the  oars  were  pulling  hard ; 
The  night  grew  thick  and  murky  all  around ; 
The  plashing  of  the  oars  the  only  sound. 
Then  suddenly,  at  midnight,  there  arose 
A  gale  tempestuous    from    the  northern 

snows. 

The  Argo  flew  before  the  chilly  blast, 
The  black  waves  rolling  high  and  thick 

and  fast. 
Nine  days^and  nights  they  drove  before  the 

gale, 
Nine  days  and  nights,  without  an  oar  or 


Behind  them  shrieked  the  tempest-ridden 
breeze; 


179 


Behind  them  piled  the  high  tumultuous 
seas. 

T  last,  ahead,  they  heard  the 

breakers  roar, 
And  on  a  tidal  wave  were 

cast  ashore* 
On    Syrtis'    sandy   shoals, 

both  high  and  dry, 
The  Argo,  partly  buried,  now  doth  He. 

The  tidal  wave,  receding  from  the  shore, 
The  distant  sea  is  heard  and  seen  no  more. 
And  stretching  all  around,  on  either  hand, 
Is  nothing  to  be  seen  but  shining  sand, 
And  foam  and  wrack  left  by  tne  ruthless 

tide; 

No  tree  or  shrub  or  rock  can  be  descried. 
The  heroes  then  bemoaned  their  cruel  fate ; 
Their  pitiful  and  helpless,  abject  state. 
And  as  the  dreary,  starless  night  closed 

'round, 

They  threw  themselves  upon  the  storm- 
swept  ground. 
Each  wrapped  his  cloak  about  his  wretched 

head, 
And  waited  for  the  dawn,  with  fear  and 

dread. 

Medea  and  her  maidens,  in  their  grief, 
Wept  bitter,  salty  tears ;  't  was  their  belief 
That  one  and  all  of  thirst  must  surely  die 
Upon  this  barren  waste ;  this  desert  dry. 


18O 


Nczt    morning,  Jason  wandered  off, 

alone, 

Across  the  Libyan  desert,  tempest  strown; 
To  think  and  meditate,  perchance  aright, 
Some  plan  devise  to  help  him  in  this  plight. 
At  length  he  covered  up  his  weary  head, 
And  kid  him  down,  the  scorching  sand  his 

bed. 

Anon,  the  Libyan  goddesses,  so  fair, 
Who  sauntering  by,  heard  moans  of  grim 

despair; 

And  seeing  Jason  groveling  in  the  sand, 
Impelled  by  pity,  took  him  by  the  hand. 
Then  from  his  yellow  curls  removed  the 

cloak, 

And  thus  the  goddesses  to  Jason  spoke: 
"O,  son  of  -££son,   do   not   be   cast 

down; 
Thou  wilt  not  die;  thou  yet  shalt  wear  thy 

crown. 
We've  heard  about  thy  quest  for  Fleece  of 

Gold; 
About  thy  toils  and  troubles  we've  been 

told. 
We  're  Libya's  daughters,  warders  of  her 

land; 
'Tis  here  we  herd  our  sheep  upon  the 

strand. 

Now  rouse  ye  Jason,  and  all  fear  dispel; 
Be  brave  and  true,  and  all  will  yet  be 

well. 


181 


HEN  Amphitrite  lessens 

Neptune's  car, 
Thy  homeward  way  will 
I     then  be  shown  afar. 
Then   follow  with  the 
i     Argo,  as  seems  best, 
And  bear  her,  as  she  bore 

you,  on  this  quest." 
Thus  spoke  the  goddesses,  so  fair  and 

bright, 

And  quickly  vanished  in  the  bright  sun- 
light. 
Then  to  his  comrades  Jason  swiftly 

fled, 
And    told    them    all   the   goddesses   had 

said. 
They  marveled   much,  and  none  knew 

what  was  meant; 
But  all  believed  the  words  that  had  been 

sent. 

When,  lo !  ere  long,  a  wondrous  sight  be- 
hold! 
A  monstrous  horse  with  flowing  mane  of 

gold, 

Came  striding  toward  them  from  the  dis- 
tant sea ; 
And  passing  swiftly,  as  on  wings,  did 

flee, 

Far  inland  'cross  the  desert,  and  at  kst, 
Was  lost  to  view.      The  crew  all  stood 
aghast. 

182 


if  LITTLE 
W    'L FISHES 


"Methinks,"  said  Peleus,  "that  Nep- 
tune's car 

By  Amphitrite  has  been  loosed  afar. 
That  was  his  off  wheel-horse;  I  know  him 

well; 

I've  often  seen  him  in  the  ocean  swell, 
When  I  was  courting  Thetis  by  the  sea ; 
He's  got  a  water-blister  on  one  knee." 
Then  Lynceus,  of  the  telescopic  eye, 
Said:    "Comrades  bold,  the  horse  I  still 

descry. 
He's  plunging  in  the  waves  of  some  vast 

lake, 
That  lies  beyond  the  course  we  saw  him 

take/' 
"An  inland  sea,  I've  heard  somewhere, 

or  read, 

Lies  on  the  Libyan  coast,"  then  Jason  said. 
"It  follows  then,  a  matter  'tis,  of  course. 
That  we  should  follow  after  this  white 

horse; 

For  something  red  before,  perhaps  behind, 
Is  always  near  a  white  horse,  you  will 

find." 

Thus  Pollux  spoke  to  Atalanta  fair, 
Who  then  was  doing  up  her  bright  red 

hair. 
"The  question  now,"  quoth  Jason,  "is 

to  take 

The  Argo  'cross  the  desert  to  this  lake. 
Just  how  to  do  it,  we  must  now  decide! 

183 


HERE'S  but  one  way,"  then 

Argus  quick  replied: 
"  We  '11  raise  her  on  our  shoul- 
ders, while  we  slide 
Her  keel  upon  the  sand;  and 

thus  abide 
By  good  advice  received  by  you,  to-day, 
From  guardian  goddesses  of  Libya." 
"We'll    undergo    a    great    hardship,    I 

know," 
Said  Pollux,  "and  our  progress  will  be 

slow." 

Said  Castor :  "I  for  one  do  now  agree 
To  shoulder  this  responsibility." 

Ancaeus    said:     "If    Hercules    were 

here, 
He  'd  push  her  through  the  sand,  while  I 

would  steer." 

"Yes,  you're  a  bunco  steerer,  I'll  admit," 
Said  Idas,  "but  old  Hercules  is  nit. 
He'd  tell  you  put  your  shoulder  to  the 

boat; 
The  problem's  not  to  steer,  but  how  to 

tote." 
"That's  right,"  said  Canthus,  "and  I'll 

just  observe : 
We've  got  the  sand,  and  ergo,  lots  of 

nerve. 
Don't  waste  your  time  in  talking;  don't 

demur ; 
The  Argo's  carried  us — we'll  carry  her; 

184 


On  even  keel  across  this  sandy  waste, 
We'll  carry  her  with  less  of  speed,  than 

haste. 
The  track  of  Neptune's  horse  is  deep  and 

straight, 

The  only  chart  we  need — an  open  gate. 
His  mane  flew  out  behind,  a  golden  vane 
To  point  the  way — remember,  then,  the 

mane!" 
Next  day,  the  heroes  fearing  now  for 

naught, 
The  mast  and  yard  secured,  both  snug  and 

taut, 

Along  the  Argo's  bilge,  on  either  side; 
And  then  their  shoulders  to  the  spars  ap- 
plied, 

And  hoisted  up  the  vessel  from  her  bed, 
And  so  began  their  journey,  with  firm  tread. 
A  task  quite  easy  for  this  strong  command 
On  firm,  hard  ground — but  hard  upon  the 

sand. 

And  Orpheus  struck  loud  his  golden  lyre ; 
Sole-stirring  music  did  the  crew  inspire. 
Medea  and  her  maids  sang  hymns  of  praise ; 
And  so  they  passed  twelve  long  and  weary 

days;  - 

Until,  at  kst,  they  reached  a  small  salt  sea, 
The  lake  Tritonis,  which  they  hailed  with 

glee. 
And  soon  upon  the  rippling  waves  did 

launch 


185 


|HEIR  heavy  burden,  Argo, 

trim  and  staunch. 
Then,  water  for  their  ves- 
sel having  found ; 
For  water  for  themselves 

they  searched  around. 
They  'd  emptied  all  the  water  jugs  before, 
To  lighten  up  the  load  their  shoulders  bore. 
For  twelve  long  days  they  drank  but  wine 

and  mead; 

So  water  pure  was  now  an  urgent  need. 
In  searching  for  a  spring  'mid  rocks  and 

trees, 

They  found  the  Garden  of  Hesperides. 
And  there,  beneath  an  apple  tree,  lay  dead, 
The  monster  serpent,  Ladon,  with  cleft 

head. 
And  there,  lamenting,  were  the  maidens 

three, 

Erytheis,  and  -/Egle,  Hespere; 
Who,  when  they  saw  the  heroes  drawing 

near, 
To  dust  and  ashes  turned,  at  once,  in 

fear. 
Then  Orpheus,  who  knew  the  marvel 

wefl, 
Besought  them  by  some  sign  or  word  to 

tell, 
Where  he  might  find  some  spring  to  quench 

his  thirst — 
And  all  the  trials  of  the  crew  rehearsed. 


186 


From  which  looked 


harm?" 

Erytheis,  the  elm 
And  meekly  said 


T  is  treason  rank,  to  meddle  with  us  three." 
44  Of    queens    divine,"    then   Orpheus 

sweetly  said, 
44  We  would  not  harm  a  hair  on  either 

head* 

We  will  not  trespass  here  within  your  park, 
Nor  even  carve  our  names  upon  your  bark. 
We  are  not  tourists,  but  sea-faring  men ; 
We  seek  but  water,  and  when  found,  will 

then 

Depart  at  once,  and  bless  you  for  your  aid." 
Then  ,/Egle  brushed  aside  her  leaves, 

and  said : 

44  O,  heroes,  but  a  day  or  two  ago 
Came  Hercules,  the  monster,  whom  ye 

know. 
He  slew  the  guardian  serpent,  'neath  the 

tree; 

And  stole  the  golden   apples;    then  did 
flee. 

187 


from  the  gods, 
or  from  the  shock, 
A  stream   of   water  burst 

from  out  the  cleft; 
And  when  he'd  quenched  his  thirst,  the 

monster  left* 

He  left  us  to  our  grief,  to  weep  alone; 
And  thus  ye  see,  we've  troubles  of  our 

own* 
We're  full  of  sap,  which  from  our  leaves 

drops  down, 
And  thus,  in  tears,  our  grief  we  fain  would 

drown/' 

"I  see,  fair  maids,"  then  Orpheus  re- 
plied, 

4  You  Ve  cause  for  grief,  and  bitterness  be- 
side* 
Your  orchard's  robbed,  your  snake  lies 

dead,  indeed ; 

But  you  're  the  apples  of  our  eyes,  in  need* 
We  thank  you  much,  O  gracious  queens, 

for  this, 
And  humbly  wish  that  we  your  bark  might 

kiss." 

Quoth  -3£gle  then :  "  The  kiss  is  under- 
stood; 

What  will  you  with  a  kiss  of  willow  wood. 
O,  would  that  ye  might  see  us  in  the  flesh, 
With  golden  hair,  and  rosy  lips,  so  fresh. 

188 


I  know  full  well  what  Hobson's  choice 
would  be — 

Instead  of  kissing  bark,  why — he'd  kiss 
me." 

Said  Pollux:  "What's  the  use  of  all  this 
fuss? 

You  're  barking  up  the  wrong  tree,  Orpheus. 

For  information  given,  girls,  much  thanks. 

We  '11  now  proceed  to  fill  our  water  tanks." 
When  all  the  jars  were  filled  and  put 
aboard, 

And  peace  and  quietness  once  more  restored, 

Then  Lynceus,  Euphemus,  Canthus,  too, 

Also  the  sons  of  Boreas,  who  flew — 

Searched  far  and  wide,  for  tracks  of  Her- 
cules ; 

Far  better  had  they  stayed  aboard,  in 
ease. 

For  Canthus,  wandering  by  some  sheep, 
alone, 

The  shepherd  slew  him  with  a  heavy 
stone. 

The  heroes  killed  the  shepherd,  stole  the 
herd, 

And  Canthus'  body  in  the  sand  interred. 

And  then  poor  Mopsus,  bitten  by  a  snake, 

Soon  died;  and  then  another  grave  they 
make. 

The  heroes  were  cast  down  with  grim  de- 
spair; 

Medea  and  her  maidens  tore  their  hair. 

189 


X 


I  The  heroes  marched,  to 
music  slow  and  sad. 
With    heavy    hearts 
they    went    aboard 
the  ship; 
And  then  the  cables  from  the  rocks  they 

slip; 

And  rowing  fast,  they  left  the  fatal  shore, 
And  wished  that  they  might  see  it  never 

more. 
And  round  and  round  the  lake  they  rowed 

and  sailed, 

To  find  an  outlet  to  the  sea,  but  failed. 
Then  making  for  the    land,  they  went 

ashore; 
Set  up  Apollo's  tripod,  as  before. 

Then  Triton,  in  the  semblance  of  a 

youth, 

Appeared  before  them;   in  his  hand,  for- 
sooth, 
A  stranger's  gift — naught  but  a  clod  of 

earth. 
"I    give   thee    what    I    have— 'tis    little 

worth." 
He  said,  "  But  if  you  wish  to  reach,  this 

day, 

The    open    sea,    then    I    can    point    the 
way." 

190 


i/T»5 


Euphemus  gladly  took  the  earthen  clod, 
And  told  their  story  to  the  wondering  god; 
Who,  pointing  far  across  the  rippling  lake, 
Said :  "  I  will  show  you,  now,  the  course  to 

take* 

Just  by  the  clump  of  trees  upon  yon  hill, 
Just  where  the  water  looks  so  black  and 

still, 
And  where  the  breakers,  white,  show  on 

each  side — 

There,  is  the  narrow  outlet  for  the  tide. 
The  channel  lies  along  the  starboard  shore, 
For  half  a  league,  perhaps  a  little  more; 
Until  between  two  rocks  you'll  see  a  tree; 
Then  leave  the  coast,  and  you  'II  be  all  at 

sea/' 
The  heroes,  rowing  swiftly  o'er  the 

lake, 

They  saw  the  youth  Apollo's  tripod  take, 
And  plunging  in  was  quickly  lost  to  view 
Beneath  the  waves ;  while  they  their  course 

pursue. 

But  soon  old  Triton  in  his  proper  shape, 
With  fins  and  scales  from  forked  tail  to 

nape, 

Appeared  besjde  the  ship  with  jealous  care, 
And  shook  tfie  water  from  his  parsely  hair, 
Which  sparsely  covered  this  old  sea-god's 

head, 
But  not  so  green,  as  I  have  somewhere 

read. 

191 


ff\ 


x^. 


LD  Triton  took  the  rud- 
der in  his  hand, 
And  deftly  steered  the 
ship  toward  the  strand; 
Then  safely  through  the 

narrow  inlet  passed, 
And  out  upon  the  open 

sea,  at  last. 
Then  with  a  bkst  upon  his   huge  sea- 
shell, 
On  balanced  scales  and  fins,  he  wished 

them  well* 
Then  to  the  west  wind  hoisted  they  the 

sail; 
For  several  days  the  west  wind  did  not 

fail. 
The  breeze  then  backed  to  southward,  to 

their  joy, 
And  steady  blew,  and  fresh,  their  hopes  to 

buoy* 

At  length,  the  isle  Carpathus,  dimly  seen, 
Loomed  up,  far  off,  against  the  sky  serene. 
Next  day  a  gkdsome  sight  appeared  to 

greet 

The  hardy  heroes,  for  the  isle  of  Crete 
Was  close  aboard;   and  all  prepared  to 

land, 
And  pass    the  night  upon  the  welcome 

strand. 

Now,  giant  Talos,  warder  of  the  isle, 
A  man  of  brass,  and  with  a  temper  vile; 

192 


LITTLE 
L     -FISHES 


A  relic  of  the  brorue  age,  truly;  he, 
Did  watch  unceasingly  across  the  sea. 
No  ship  did  he  allow  to  come  near  land, 
But  drove  them  off,  with  rocks,  from  his 

strong  hand. 
This  demi-god  was  brass  from  head  to 

heel; 

His  mascles  and  his  sinews  strong  as  steel; 
The  hardest  thing  about  him  was  his  cheek ; 
But  one  small  place  about  him  was  quite 

weak: 

Beside  one  ankle  was  a  swollen  vein, 
Just   covered  by  a  skin  so  thin,  'twas 

plain, 

To  wound  him  in  this  spot,  so  varicose, 
Would  fatal  prove;  at  least,  so  I  suppose. 
Now,  in    the   harbor,  Argo    proudly 

sailed, 

When  from  a  cliff  old  Talos  loudly  hailed: 
"Keep  off!  keep  off  I"  he  cried  in  thunder 

tones, 
And  emphasized    his  vile  remarks  with 

stones. 
He  broke  great  chunks  of  rock  from  off 

the  crag; 
And  huge  stones  from  their  earthy  beds  did 

drag; 
And  hurled  them  toward  the  ship  with  aim 

so  true, 

That  quickly  out  of  range,  the  crew  with- 
drew. 


193 


,/ 


ND   Pollux   then  to  Jason 

sadly  said : 
"We    can  not    land  until 


this  monster 's  dead* 


of 


Too  bad  it  is  that  men 

flesh  and  blood 
Are  kept  at  bay,  and  drifting  on  its  flood, 
By  this  one  man  of  brass — a  brazen  heap, 
Who  rocks  us  in  the  cradle  of  the  deep. 
That  men  of  mettle,  by  this  metal  cad, 
Are  thus  withstood — I  say,  it  is  too  bad." 
"'Tis   true,"  Medea    then  to  Jason 

said, 
"We  can  not  land  till  this  brass  giant's 

dead. 
Now,  I've  a  potent  charm  that  can  not 

fail 

To  bring  disaster,  even  death  entail, 
To  all  things  made  of  brass,  for  you  well 

know 
The  brazen  bulls,  by  you  were  conquered 

so. 

Now  I  will  go  below  and  work  the  charm; 
Do  you  the  vessel  keep  just  out  of  harm ; 
And  sailing  off  and  on,  and  full  and  by, 
With  gibes  and  taunts  the  brazen  man 

defy; 
To  make  him  angry  you  must  do  your 

best, 
For  whom  the  gods  destroy — you  know 

the  rest." 

194 


V  LITTLE 


HE  heroes  followed  this  advice, 

so  sage; 
Old  Talos  was  beside  himself 

with  rage; 
And  in  his  anger,  rushing  for  a  stone, 
He  gashed  the  vein  beside  his  ankle-bone ; 
But  in  his  frenzy,  gave  it  little  heed; 
In  torrents  did  the  severed  vessel  bleed. 
At  last,  the  brazen  giant  grew  so  weak, 
He  could  not  cast  a  stone — he  could  not 

speak; 
But  swayed  and  reeled  and  tottered  on  the 

crag; 
And  quivering,  trembling,  like  a  wounded 

stag, 
His  limbs  gave  way,  and  down  his  body 

dashed; 

Far  down  upon  the  rocks  below  he  crashed. 
With  Talos  dead,  now  everything  was 

right, 

And  so  the  heroes  slept  ashore  that  nigfht. 
Next  morn,  at  dawn,  by  faint  light  of 

the  stars, 

The  heroes  filled  again  the  water  jars. 
And  to  the  mild  south  wind  they  set  the 

sail,    - 

E'en  as  the  morning  star  began  to  pale. 
As   o'er  the    gulf    of    Crete    they  sailed 

along, 
Their  lightsome  hearts  found  vent  in  merry 


song. 


195 


V 


soon,  u  soon,  they'd 
sight  the  shores  of  Greece* 
At    night    the   full,   round 

moon  rose  o'er  the  sea  ; 
The  dolphins  sported  in  her  light  with  glee; 
The  merry  waves   caressed    the  Argo's 

prow, 
And  broke  in  silver  spray  about  the  bow. 

Medea  laid  her  head  on  Jason's  breast  ; 
And  he  her  moonlit,  golden  hair,  caressed. 
44  Medea,  love,"  he  said,  "we'll  soon  be 

home, 

No  more  on  earth  or  sea  to  sail  or  roam. 
In  happiness  we  '11  spend  our  future  days, 
With  none  to  censure;   all  to  love  and 

praise. 
The  Golden  Fleece  is  won,  and  by  your 

aid; 
My  queen  will  be  most  welcome,  too,"  he 

said. 

44  Together  we  will  rule  my  people,  dear, 
And  live,  henceforth,  devoid  of   strife   or 

fear." 
The  best  kid  pkns  of  mice  and  men, 

they  say, 

Do  n't  always  suit  the  gang,  in  every  way. 
For  soon  the  moon  was  hidden  by  a  cloud  ; 


The  stars  were 
shroud; 


folded  in   night's    sable 


196 


^  LITTLE 
W    ^ -FISHES 


And  inky  blackness  clothed  the  sky  and 

sea; 
And  soon  there  was  no  windward,  and  no 

lee* 
The  breeze  died  out,  nor  left  the  slightest 

breath; 
And  everything  was  still  and   black  as 

deatn. 

And  even  Lynceus  now  failed  to  spy 
His  hand,  when  held  before  his  X-ray  eye. 
And  silently  the  Argo  drifted  now; 
But  whether  port  or  starboard,  stern  or 

bow, 

Not  even  Lynceus  could  tell  rthe  crew. 
They  held  their  breath— 'twas  all    that 

they  could  do. 
Then  Jason  raised  aloft  his  hands  and 

prayed; 

And  called  on  Phoebus,  for  his  timely  aid. 
He  supplicated  Juno,  heaven's  queen, 
To  shed  a  ray  of  light  upon  the  scene. 
And  long  and  earnestly  did  he  implore; 
He  prayed  as  he  had  never  prayed  before. 

Then  suddenly  a  light  illumed  the  sky ; 
So  bright  that  each  was  fain  to  shade  his 

eye;    „ 
And  on  a  rock,  revealed  by  this  bright 

glow — 

Apollo  stood,  and  in  his  hand,  his  bow ! 
And  from  his  golden  bow  the  radiant  light 
Dispelled  the  murky  blackness  of  the  night. 

197 


near 

Hippuris ; 
and  did  steer 
Straight  for  its  welcome 

harbor,  in  the  light* 
The  crew  bent  to  their 
oars    with    all    their 
might; 

And  then  when  safely  anchored  in  its  bay, 
Apollo  waved  his  bow,  and  flew  away* 
Next  mom  the  grateful  heroes  built  a 

shrine, 

In  honor  of  the  radiant  god  divine. 
They  also  built  an  altar  on  the  strand; 
And  searched  the  island  through,  on  every 

hand, 

For  sheep  or  oxen  for  the  sacrifice ; 
But  finding  none,  pure  water  must  suffice* 
Of  this,  they  poured  libations  on  the  fire; 
The  hissing  steam  arose  as  high,  or  higher, 
Than  from  a  sacrificial  bull  or  sheep* 
The  motive,  not  the  means,  still  means  a 

heap* 
It  made  Medea's  handmaids  laugh  and 

jest; 

'T  was  such  a  curious  sacrifice,  at  best* 
They  'd  seen  great  herds  of  cattle  sacrificed, 
By  king  Alcinous,  and  were  surprised 
To  see  the  heroes  put  the  fire  out, 
By  pouring  water  on ;  it  made  them  shout* 


198 


The  heroes  laughed  in  turn;  and  since 

that  day, 
Some  women  jest  whene'er  their  husbands 

pray* 
Aboard  once  more,  they  sailed  'neath 

cloudless  skies, 

And  proudly  now,  the  Argo's  pennon  flies. 
And  sailing  smoothly  on,  at  length  they 

reach 
u££gina,  where  they   anchored   near  the 

beach* 
And  when  they  went  ashore  their  jars  to 

fill, 
There    then  arose  a  strife — the   custom 

still; 

Each  hero  strove  to  fill  his  jar  and  race 
Back  to  the  ship,  and  try  to  win  first  place. 
Euphemus,  fleet  of  foot,  of  course,  was 

first; 
But  near  the  ship  he  stopped  to  quench  his 

thirst; 

And  Atalanta  passed  him  with  her  jug, 
And  won  the  race  and  prize — a  golden 

mug. 
And  since  that  day,  the  Myrmidons  of 

Thrace,^ 
With  jugs  of  water  on  their  shoulders,  race. 

The  handicap  in  racing  first  begun, 
In  carrying  jugs  of  water  on  the  run. 
'T  was  instituted  by  an  Argonaut; 
And  still  we  race,  though  with  a  jug  or  not. 

199 


GINA,  left  astern,  the 
Argo  sailed. 
With  wind  and  weather 
f air,which  never  failed. 
No  more  adventures  did 
the  heroes  meet; 
But  sailing  ever  on,  and 
ever  fleet, 
They  passed  the  land  of  Cecrops;  Aulis, 

too; 

The  towns  of  the  Opuntian  Locri,  view. 
And  so,  at  last,  upon  a  sunny  day, 
They  anchored,  once  again,  at  Pagasae ! 
' T  was  in  the  afternoon,  they  moored 

the  ship, 

Much  battered  by  the  long,  eventful  trip; 
But   staunch  and    tight,   and    classed  A 

No.  J; 
Her  figure-head,  unmarred,  still   brightly 

shone. 

The  heroes  now  prepared  to  go  ashore ; 
They  soon  would  part,  and  some  would 

meet  no  more. 
They  packed  their  kits,  and  dressed  them 

in  their  best, 
In  honor  of  the  ending  of  the  quest. 

Then  Jason  sent  Euphemus,  who  was 

fleet, 

To  lolchos,  king  Pelias  to  greet. 
To    tell    that    he'd    returned    again    to 
Greece, 

200 


LITTLE 
**   TISHES 


And  with  him  brought  the  famous  Golden 

Fleece* 

And  to  remind  the  king,  in  view  of  this, 
His  resignation  would  not  be  amiss* 
In  fact,  it  was  the  proper  thing  to  do, 
Since  Jason  had  performed  his  mission, 

true* 

But  if  he  did  not  choose,  thus  to  vacate ; 
And  seemed  inclined  to  halt,  or  vacillate ; 
A  writ,  then,  of  ejectment,  would  be  served. 
All  legal  forms  would  strictly  be  observed* 

A  posse  comitatus,  sixty  strong, 
Of    sunburnt  heroes,  quick  to  right  the 

wrong, 

Would  then  proceed  pugnis  et  caldbus, 
To  execute  the  writ  so  just ;  and  jus 
Proprietatis  they  would  then  decide, 
With /as  possesstonis  too,  implied; 
This  would  be  done  pro  bono  publico; 
He   must   be  fired;    then    put   out,  you 

know* 
And    furthermore,  the    king,  he  was   to 

tell, 
That,  heretofore,  he  ruled  not  wise,  nor 

well* 

That  Jason  now  proposed  a  government, 
To  which  the  governed  would  give  their 

consent; 

If  of,  and  by,  and  for,  the  people  all, 
A  government  would  always  stand,  not 
'  fall* 


201 


ason*  some  such 
scheme  had  then  in 
view* 

And  with  Medea's  coun- 
sel and  advice, 
He  'd  rule  in  such  a  way 
as  would  suffice* 
Commissioner  Euphemus  went  to  town, 
And  had  a  secret  session  with  the  crown* 
His  mission  he  performed  with  sense  and 

tact; 

For  he  was  born  a  diplomat,  in  fact. 
The  king  was  sorely  vexed,  and  troubled, 

too; 
Nonplussed,  and  fearful;   knew  not  what 

to  do. 
He  said  that  he  'd  been  sick  for  many 

a  day; 

And  did  not  see  how  he  could  go  away* 
"To  tell  the  truth,"  he  said,  "I've  got  the 

£'ppe* 
Dn  he  must  stay  aboard  his  ship* 
or  has  forbidden  me  to  speak 
On  any  subject,  for  at  least,  a  week* 
Some  day,  when  better  able  to  be  out; 
And  when  the  weather's  warmer,  I've  no 

doubt, 

My  doctor  will  permit  an  interview 
With  Jason  and  his  brave,  courageous  crew* 

202 


^  LITTLE 
U    ^     -FISHES 


At  present,  he  advises  me  to  wear 

My  crown  both  night  and  day ;  for  't  would 

impair 
My  health,  and  give  me  cold,  to  take  it 

off; 

And  make  much  worse  my  hacking,  rack- 
ing cough. 

I  know  it  is  a  saying  in  the  town: 
*  Uneasy  lies  the  head  that  wears  a  crown; ' 
To  take  it  off,  I  could  not  lie  at  all ; 
Pd  feel  light-headed,  that's  the  truth,  and 

fall 
I'm  glad  you  called,  but  now  I've  talked 

enough, 

For  I  must  go  and  take  my  doctor's  stuff/' 
Euphemus  then  replied:    "O  mighty 

king, 

I  think  that  Jason  will  not  do  a  thing 
To  you,  that  would  increase  your  cough  or 

cold; 
In  fact,  he'd  make  it  warm,  with  Fleece  of 

Gold 

One  thing  before  I  go,  I'd  like  to  say, 
Because  we  may  not  meet  another  day : 
Small  acorns  from  large  oak  trees  always 

fall,     > 
And  sometimes,  with  them,  little  nuts  of 

gall; 
Not  always,  though,  for  gall  sometimes  we 

find 
When  least  expected,  in  the  human  mind." 

203 


UPHEMUS  then  with- 
drew and  slammed 
the  door; 
For  Pelias  would  soon 

be  king,  no  more* 
He  hied  him  then  unto 

the  public  square; 
And  soon  a  crowd  of 
people  gathered  there ; 
To  whom  he  told  the  story  of  the  quest ; 
Of  Jason's  promises;  and  did  his  best 
To  favor  Jason  in  the  public  eye ; 
And  Pelias,  he  boldly  did  decry* 
He  then  invited  all  to  come  next  day. 
To  welcome  Jason,  at  the  harbor  bay. 
"Hurrah!    for  Jason;    and    for  Jason's 

right  I" 
The  people  cried  and   shouted,  in    their 

might* 
Next  morn  the  populace  were  all  on 

hand, 

And  waiting  anxiously  upon  the  strand. 
In  holiday  attire  they  all  were  dressed ; 
Ea.ch  man  and  woman  strove  to  look  his 

best. 

The  story  of  the  Fleece,  they  all  had  heard — 
Euphemus  told  them  all  that  had  occurred — 
And  now  they  came  to  welcome  back  the 

crew, 

Who'd  sailed  so  many  months  the  ocean 
blue. 

204 


LITTLE 
**   -FISHES 


Whose  mighty  deeds  of  valor  were  re-told ; 

Who'd  brought  again  to  Greece  the  Fleece 

of  Gold. 
And  gilded  cars  and  chariots  and  wains, 

Came    lumbering    down    the   roads,  and 
through  the  lanes, 

To  carry  up  the  Argonauts  to  town ; 

Those  weather-beaten  heroes  of  renown ; 

Who    at    the    word,   assembled   at    the 
wales ; 

I  must  admit  that  all  description  fails, 

To  give  a  good  idea,  true  and  right, 

Of  that  imposing,  gay  and  glorious  sight. 
The  Argo  showed  her  port  side  to  the 
shore; 

Thrust  through  each  port-hole  was  a  blade 
of  oar ; 

An  Argonaut,  erect,  stood  on  each  blade; 

The  rest  were  on  the  gilded  wale  arrayed. 

Thus,  in  three  ranks,  the  heroes  were  dis- 
posed; 

Each  rank  above  the  other  stood  disclosed ; 

Their  burnished  shields  and  helmets  gleam- 
ing bright, 

Reflected  from  the  sun  long  rays  of  light. 

And  Jason  and  Medea,  happy  pair; 

The  twelve  Phaeacian  maids,  with  golden 
hair, 

In  silken  raiment,  stood  upon  the  stern ; 

A  group  toward  which  admiring  glances 
turn. 

205 


USPENDED  on  a 
cross-bar,  banner- 
wise, 

A  wondrous  sight  now 
met    the     people's 
eyes — 
The  Golden  Fleece,  the 

object  of  the  quest; 
And  this  the  sight  the  people  liked  the 

best 
Then  from  ten  thousand  throats  upon 

the  shore, 
There  came  a  sound,  much  like  the  ocean's 

roar. 
The  people  waved  their  scarfs,  and  shouted 

loud; 

And  ne'er  before  was  such  a  happy  crowd. 
A  welcome  warm  to  Jason  and  his  bride, 
And  to  the  heroes,  came  from  every  side. 
'•  Long  life  to  Jason,  king  of  lolchos ! " 
They  cried,  as  up  their  caps  and  staves  they 

toss. 
"Long  live  Medea!"    "Long  life  to  our 

queen ! " 

O,  never  was  there  such  a  loyal  scene. 
Each  hero  then  was  welcomed  by  his 

name; 
For  each  and  all  were  long  well-known  to 

fame. 

The  soldiers  of  the  king  took  great  delight, 
In  cheering  one  and  all  by  name,  aright. 

206 


LITTLE 
•       -FISHES 


Atlanta  was  the  favored  one  of  all; 

And  judging  from  the  shouts — queen  of  the 

The  Argo  then  was  rowed  upon  the 

beach. 
The  heroes  disembarked;  and  then  was 

each 

Invited  on  the  platform,  or  grand  stand, 
Erected  in  their  honor  on  the  strand. 
The  formal  speech  of  welcome  then  was 

made. 
44 1  point  with  pride,"  and  so  forth,  then  was 

said. 
"This  is  the  proudest  moment    of    my 

life!" 

Of  course  was  said  by  Jason  and  his  wife. 
But  now  a  restive  movement  in  the 

throng, 
Caused  him  to  stop,  and  wonder  what  was 

wrong. 
What  caused  that  rumbling  noise — that 

distant  shout  ? 
Then  toward  the  town  all  eyes  were  turned, 

in  doubt. 

A  cloud  of  dust  was  rolling  down  the  road; 
A  man  was,  driving  fast,  with  lash  and 

goad. 
The  crowd  gave  way,  as  he  came  rushing 

by; 

Up  to  the  stand  he  drove,  with  flashing 
eye — 

207 


The  driver,  car  and  horses  of  the  king ! 


HY  drive  so  fast? 
What  message  do 
you  bring?" 
Euphemus  asked. 
44  What  have  you  got 
to  say  ? 

Come,  say  it  quick; 
we'll  have  no  more 
delay!" 

44  King  Pelias  is  dead ! "  the  man  replied ; 
"That's  why  I  took  this  little  pleasure 

ride!" 
"Dead  drunk,  you  mean,"  then  Pollux, 

smiling  said. 
"He's  dead  de  facto;  dead  as  herring 

red!" 
Replied  the  man,  and  mopped  his  reeking 

brow; 

"  Dead  as  a  door-nail,  I  assure  you,  now ! " 
"How  did  it  happen?    Tell  us  all  you 

know; 
You  drive  quite  fast,  but  speak  too  all-fired 

slow," 

Euphemus  said,  in  his  impatient  way. 
The  man  took  breath,  and  then  went  on 

to  say: 
"The  king  was  left  alone;    for  all  but 

me 
Left  town  this  morning  early,  for  the  sea. 

2O8 


We  were  the  only  two  left  in  the  town* 
He  kept  me  home  to  polish  up  the  crown. 
He  owed  me  six  months  wages,  which  he 

said, 

He'd  pay  to-night,  if  Pd  stay  by  his  bed. 
His  doctor,  even,  left  him,  I  declare — 
I  see  him  now,  sir,  standing  over  there* 


ELL,  just  about  an  hour  ago, 

or  more, 
I  took  him  up  his  mail,  which 

looking  o'er, 
He  found  a  box  of  powders,  with  a  note; 
I've  got  it  here — and  this  is  what  was 

wrote : 
'To  knock  that   tired  feeling  out  of 

sight; 
To  make  the  whiskers  black,  instead  of 

white; 

To  make  an  old  man  young  without  de- 
lay; 

One  powder  must  be  taken,  every  day*' 
"Then  Pelias  remarked:  'I'll  go  you 

one; 
I'll    take   one    now,   in  water,    just  tor 

fun;    - 

I  dreamed  about  this  very  thing  last  night; 
And  that  convinces  me  that  its  all  right.' 
And  then  he  took  the  powder,  sure  enough; 
And  smacked  his    lips,  and  then    said: 
'That's  the  stuff!' 

209 


// 


UT  soon  he  said  he  felt 

like  one  on  fire ; 
Said:  *  Give  me  water, 

or  I  must  expire ! ' 
And  then  he  drank  a 
gallon,  maybe  more ; 
And  then  lay  on  his  bed, 

and  tried  to  snore; 
And  failing  that,  he  then  began  to  kick; 
Kicked  all  the  bed-clothes  off,  and  then  the 

tick; 
And  then  he  kicked  the  stuffing  out  the 

bed; 

But  soon  he  kicked  no  more — for  he  was 
_^  dead" 
Euphemus  asked  the  doctor :  "  Do  you 

think 
He   died  of   poison,   or  from   too   much 

drink  1" 

"  Heart  failure,  I  should  say/'  he  then  re- 
plied* 
"That  could  not  be  the  cause  from  which 

he  died/' 

Put  in  the  man.  "  For  Pelias  had  no  heart* 

Kick  failure*  I  should  call  it,  for  my  part/' 

Medea  smiled  a  knowing  smile,  'tis 

said* 
When  this  poor  man  proclaimed  the  king 

was  dead. 

She'd  sent  some  mail  the  day  before,  to 
town, 

210 


LITTLE 
^    FISHES 


By  Euphemus,  directed  to  the  crown* 
But  whether  it  the  powder  did  enclose — 
That,  no  one,  but  the  sender,  really  knows* 
The  man,  resuming,  then   said:    "I 

have  here 
His  crown  and  scepter,  for  to  me  'twas 

clear, 
That  I  should  hold  them  for  my  six  month's 

pay; 

In  fact,  it  seemed  to  me  the  only  way. 
The  king  had  pledged  to  pay,  in  full,  to- 
night; 
I  think  you'll  grant,  in  this,  that  I  am 

right 
The    crown    and    scepter    I   as    pledges 

hold, 
Until    I'm    reimbursed,    or    they'll    be 

sold/' 
Then  Jason  paid   the  man  in  full,  and 

more; 

Who  then  the  royal  emblems  did  restore. 
The  Councillor  of  the  king  then  rose; 

said  he: 

44 A  pleasant  duty  now  devolves  on  me. 
For  Pelias,  usurper,  being  dead, 
The  crown  jnust  now  be  placed  on  Jason's 

head. 

I  know  that  this  vast  concourse  is  aware, 
That  Jason  is  his  father  JEson's  heir; 
And  ^feson  being  dead,  I  'm  proud  to  say, 
That  Jason  will  be  crowned  without  delay. 


211 


dispense 

And  this  I  wish  to  say  with- 
out offense* 
The  time  and  place  and 

man  are  here,  you  see ; 
It  is  most  opportune,  you  'II  all  agree. 
And  as  we  can  not  live  without  a  king; 
I'll  now  proceed  to  do  the  proper  thing/' 
And  then  he  placed  the  crown  on  Jason's 

head; 
And  in  his  hand  the  scepter  placed,  then 

said: 

"  By  virtue  of  my  office,  I  declare, 
That  Jason's  now  the  king,  as  -^Eson's 

heir; 

The  king  of  lolchos,  in  Thessaly! 
Long  may  he  live  and  reign  o'er  you  and 

me* 
The  king  is  dead — and  now  Long  Live 

the  King ! 
The  Golden  Fleece  to  all  good  luck  will 

bring!" 
The  people  shouted  loud — the  heroes 

cheered ; 

While  in  the  bay  the  water-nymphs  ap- 
peared; 
For  they  were  loyal  to  the  new  king's 

cause, 

And  clapped  their  hands,  in  token  of  ap- 
plause. 

212 


LITTLE 
-FISHES 


While  wood-nymphs  from  the  mountain 

side  stole  down; 
With  flowers  and  leaves  they  strewed  the 

road  to  town* 
Then  Jason  and    Medea,  king    and 

queen, 

The  finest  royal  couple  ever  seen, 
Rode  in  the  car  of   state;    the    Golden 

Fleece, 
Hung  o'er  their  heads,  an  emblem  now  of 

peace. 

The  heroes  and  the  councillors  of  state; 
The  prominent  officials,  wise  and  great; 
In  gilded  vans  and  wains,  a  pageant  fine, 
Were  followed  bv  the  multitude  in  line. 
Then  through  the  city  gates  to  palace 

hall, 

Where  Jason  and  Medea  welcomed  all 
And  then  a  week  of  feasting,  and  of  bliss. 
Another  week  of  games  then  followed  this. 
So  ends  the  quest  of  Jason  for  the 

Fleece; 
And  so  begins  his  reign  of  Golden  peace. 


FOURTEEN  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 


This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


4May'55BU 


RECEIVED 

•.•)  A 'Cl:.'  ~j;l  •"'•': 
..    • 


-OAN 


•••', 

RECtlVt-D 

"20"  * 

FB2    70 -4PM 


RLC  0  LD 

MAY  6    1961 

69 

1 

Nffi 

V] 

LD  21-100m-2,'55 
(B139s22)476 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


VC15938n 


